“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 of great joy that will be for all the people.'” Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)

Since I cannot say it better myself, this is a quote from Max Lucado's writing titled It Began in a Manger .

“Off to one side sit a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him—so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.”

What a surprise it must have been for the “simple shepherds” to hear God's message from the angels. My hope is to be like the shepherds: willing to listen, able to hear and without doubt or questioning, do as God asks me. This Christmas season, as we celebrate the birth of a baby, the same baby whose birth was announced to the shepherds long ago, may we have that same “simple” faith.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the gift of Jesus and help us to focus on what is truly important at Christmas time. Amen

Lisa Sinegra