When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” – Luke 2:15
I wonder, was it a quiet night when the great host of angels appeared to the shepherds? I wonder, what was going through the minds of those who witnessed the heavenly announcement? I can imagine them gathered by a small fire as their sheep were secured in the pen. They were probably discussing current events. They might have been talking about how difficult things were, politically, economically, and personally. Being a shepherd was a profession that would not provide a path to wealth and prosperity. Living under the control of the Romans and King Herod was difficult, to say the least. I wonder, were they expressing their hope that God would somehow intervene in the world?
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared right there in the field where only shepherds and sheep gathered; right where they had been talking about their worry and fears. It was a heavenly sight! Luke tells us, “The glory of the Lord shone around them.” It was in the midst of the darkness and pain of the world that the announcement of Good News was made. Light shattered the darkness and hope was born anew.
There are times when I could easily join the scene around the campfire with the shepherds, lamenting over my problems, my worries and my pain, but Christmas reminds me that God is active and at work in our world. In the darkest of moments, the Good News of God, the Glory of the Lord breaks into my hopelessness and brings life and light to me and to the whole world. This is the beauty of Advent. It is that time of the year when we, once again, look to the heavens to see God’s hope born anew in our lives and in the world.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. – Phillip Brooks, O Little Town of Bethlehem
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
