Abbey Christmas: Joy Week 1 Day 4

Day 4: Joy - Shepherds

Text: Luke 2:8-20

The shepherds of Luke 2 had to have had a wild roller coaster of emotions that night.

Their night begins like any other.  Keeping watch over their sheep that night to make sure thieves or wolves do not take their hard-earned investment.  It is relatively boring and quiet. There is the soft rattle of locusts’ wings and the distant bleating of sheep. Perhaps they are fighting off the heaviness overtaking their eyelids.

And then - behold! - a glorious angel appears before them and they are seized with terror.  They clutch their chest and each other as adrenaline and panic fires throughout their bloodstreams.  The angel quickly reassures them to “Fear not,” for he is bringing them good news. He has come to make a joyous announcement - a King is born, a divine Savior who will rescue His people.  And then suddenly a countless multitude of angels appears praising God in thunderous harmony. Now, the shepherds are clutching their ears with their eyes the size of saucers.

And just like that, it’s over.  The angels evaporate from before their eyes.  The silence of the night returns and their ears are still ringing from the heavenly cacophony.  They turn to each other in disbelief. Was that a dream?

And then they remember the whole point of the visitation - the child.  That’s the great announcement?! A small, soft baby swaddled up in cloth?  As Frederick Beuchner put it - “you can crack its skull like an eggshell.” A baby is so vulnerable.  So killable. This is the one that is going to powerfully rescue us, that requires angelic fanfare to make the announcement?

That is the joy of Christmas - that God did make Himself vulnerable and killable.  And He would indeed submit Himself to the sinful violence of men. So that in the end, the wonder of that announcement might come true.  He did indeed come to save us, not by bringing judgment, but by bearing judgment. He saves not by winning, but by losing.

Reflection

Morning Pause:  What would it look like for you to spend this day living out of our weakness instead of your strength?

Afternoon Pause:  What would be the benefits of giving yourself permission to be weak?

Evening Pause:  In what ways did the Lord strengthen you in your weakness today?