Reflection of the Week - 17 December 2019

Posted in Faith

Sometimes we know the Christmas story so well that we don't see the wonder of it easily.

Just as many parts of the world go through the Christmas ritual – so do we.

 

So let's look at the story from the shepherds perspective;

they were ordinary, working people (just like me),

sheepherders, out in the field at night ...

 

Luke 2:9-11 (Today's New International Version)

An angel of the Lord appeared to them ...

and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you;he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

 

Luke 2:16-20

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him,they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Thank you Father for giving us your son,
a Saviour born to us.
Thank you Jesus for coming
as a baby and changing the world forever.

As we reflect on the sheepherders experience,
we can see some of our own response –
fear followed by wonder,
wanting to find the baby in the midst of our daily living.

Lord God, we glorify and praise you,
just as the sheepherders did,
we remember the ”good news of great joy”
and marvel that it is “for all the people”.

Amen

 

Christmas is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus, the love of the Father and our own response.

Amongst everything this Christmas, I will remember the real story, and as the sheepherders did, I will glorify and praise God for all the things I've heard, read and seen.

Help me to 'spread the word concerning this child' – the baby that changed the world forever!

 

 


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Comments

Comments (3)

  1. Leigh Duffett 17 december 2019, 20:44 Link
    Thank you for the reflective reminder of the shepherds in the field.
    Pity they weren't represented in the illustration — just a Christmas tree.
    Little wonder nativity scenes are hard to find in the community now. Its all about Santa and decorated trees. Even our Synod Christmas card image doesn't show anything from the nativity. Why not?