Advent Week 3

Hope For Those Who Are Willing

Tuesday, December 24

Luke 2: 15 - 18

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."  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.

I’m guessing that the shepherds probably weren’t expecting to hear such a powerful word from the Lord that night.  There they were on the hillside watching their sheep.  Many huddled around a fire, telling jokes.  Perhaps they had all settled in, preparing for the longnight a head.  I think they might even have been comfortable, comfortable in the familiar.

But then, suddenly, there were angels all around.  Can you imagine? Wow! Shinningangels all around, a multitude even, singing the most beautiful music they ever heard.  And the message, how exciting! The savior of the world has been born! It is just what they had been waiting for.

And as great as all this is, it is really the next part that strikes me.  

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go…”

And they did. They didn’t just hear the message and settle back down into their camp.  They said, “Let’s go!”  They were eager, prepared to leave their camp, their sheep, their comfort and just go.  They were excited about finding the Christ child and then spreading the word to all those who would listen.

But I wonder, if they hadn’t been willing to go, if they had found themselves to comfortable, would we have had a whole different story. Maybe even no story.

As we have spent the last four weeks in excited anticipation of the Advent of Christ’sbirth - the great build up until Christmas day – once it comes, do we just pack it up for the year, settle down into camp OR do we continue the journey spreading the message of the Hope we have found in Christ?  Just as the Shepherds did those many years ago.

Are you willing to go and spread the hope that Christ’s birth brings?

Amanda Langlands