Meeting Jesus: A Life-changing Experience
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord..."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on
whom his favor rests." Luke 2:8-14, NIV.
There was plenty of fanfare when Jesus was born. But it seemed to be the wrong people. After all, Israel had lots of really important individuals who were learned and upright and who had access to those with power and influence. So why begin the gospel proclamation with shepherds, men despised and largely ignored by the pillars of society? Such people couldn't read or write. Beyond that, their lowly work kept them dirty--both physically and ceremonially. They were quite unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law as interpreted by the Pharisees. Their flocks made constant demands. Thus they had no time for the meticulous hand washings and rules and regulations prescribed by their social betters. But their hearts were open in a way that those of the self-satisfied religious leaders were not.
One of the most revealing aspects of Jesus' birth narratives is that God selected such humble individuals to be first to tell the Christmas story to. But while the men may have been humble, the presentation came with power and glory, so much so that they trembled in fear. But their terror turned to joy at the announcement of the angel that the Christ had been born in nearby Bethlehem. At that point their senses were shocked again as "a great company of the heavenly host" burst out in a song of praise. One can only wonder at the impact the experience had on the shepherds. First they had only the dark, star-studded sky. Then they had the glory of one angel who turned the darkness of night into light. And last the multiplied, blinding glory of a host of heavenly beings.
The impact of the glory and the message delivered to them transformed their lives forever. After visiting the manger they returned to their fields "praising God for all they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20, RSV) and spreading the good news to others (verse 18).
For them meeting Jesus was a life-changing experience. And so it is for you and me as we respond to the mystery of God's love in Jesus.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord..."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on
whom his favor rests." Luke 2:8-14, NIV.
There was plenty of fanfare when Jesus was born. But it seemed to be the wrong people. After all, Israel had lots of really important individuals who were learned and upright and who had access to those with power and influence. So why begin the gospel proclamation with shepherds, men despised and largely ignored by the pillars of society? Such people couldn't read or write. Beyond that, their lowly work kept them dirty--both physically and ceremonially. They were quite unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law as interpreted by the Pharisees. Their flocks made constant demands. Thus they had no time for the meticulous hand washings and rules and regulations prescribed by their social betters. But their hearts were open in a way that those of the self-satisfied religious leaders were not.
One of the most revealing aspects of Jesus' birth narratives is that God selected such humble individuals to be first to tell the Christmas story to. But while the men may have been humble, the presentation came with power and glory, so much so that they trembled in fear. But their terror turned to joy at the announcement of the angel that the Christ had been born in nearby Bethlehem. At that point their senses were shocked again as "a great company of the heavenly host" burst out in a song of praise. One can only wonder at the impact the experience had on the shepherds. First they had only the dark, star-studded sky. Then they had the glory of one angel who turned the darkness of night into light. And last the multiplied, blinding glory of a host of heavenly beings.
The impact of the glory and the message delivered to them transformed their lives forever. After visiting the manger they returned to their fields "praising God for all they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20, RSV) and spreading the good news to others (verse 18).
For them meeting Jesus was a life-changing experience. And so it is for you and me as we respond to the mystery of God's love in Jesus.
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