6 Lessons from Angels and Shepherds at Christmas
Dec 18, 2018My Dearest Sisters in Christ,
In the midst of the holiday season, I find myself reminiscing about cherished traditions, one of which holds a special place in my heart - singing. From as far back as I can remember, I've been drawn to the joy of music, especially through my participation in choirs. It's been a source of solace and celebration, providing a profound connection to my faith. Today, I wish to explore a story from the New Testament that has always resonated with me – the tale of the shepherds and the angels during the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Luke Chapter 2, verse 8, sets the scene: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid."
Here, we encounter humble shepherds, ordinary people working tirelessly through the night. I can't help but relate to those moments when life's demands become overwhelming. In times of hardship, God has a way of delivering spiritually awakening experiences – moments when His presence is undeniable. Much like the shepherds, we may be filled with awe and trepidation during these encounters.
The first invaluable lesson this story imparts is that God chooses everyday, hardworking individuals like us to experience profound spiritual awakenings.
Moving forward, verses 10 and 11 convey the angel's message: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Here, we are taught to find joy in Christ's birth.
The second lesson is that although life often presents us with formidable challenges, the commandment is clear – rejoice! The birth of Jesus brings us eternal joy and salvation, offering solace even amidst our most arduous trials.
Verse 13 continues to captivate our hearts, revealing a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men." The third lesson we learn from this biblical account is that during moments of uncertainty and fear, like the shepherds, we too can turn to uplifting music that praises God. It is an effective way to find inspiration when we feel lost or disheartened.
Now, let's revisit verse 12 and continue to verse 15. The angel provides the shepherds with a sign to recognize the Savior: "And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." In this fourth lesson, an invitation is extended to the shepherds, and it's a call that resonates with all of us – "Go find Him." But finding Christ isn't always straightforward; it may require us to knock on a few doors metaphorically. The promise is clear: if you seek Him, you will find Him. And as we seek Him through prayer, scripture study, attending church, and quiet moments of communion with God, we gradually uncover His presence.
After locating the Christ Child, the shepherds bore testimony to what they had experienced. This act prompted various reactions from those who heard their story – some marveled, while others pondered these things in their hearts. It's a fifth lesson that echoes to this day – testify of Christ to others, and let them respond in their own way.
Lastly, in verse 20, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for the wondrous things they had witnessed, just as they had been told. The final lesson is simple yet profound: when you experience these spiritually awakening moments, remember to glorify, praise, and thank God. Sometimes, we become so caught up in life's whirlwind that we forget to express our gratitude.
As we embrace this holiday season and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, may we hold close the lessons from the shepherds and the angels. First, remember that God chooses ordinary people for extraordinary spiritual awakenings. Second, find joy in Christ, even amidst life's challenges. Third, turn to uplifting music when you feel disheartened. Fourth, seek Christ with the promise that you will find Him. Fifth, testify of Him and allow others to respond in their own way. Finally, remember to glorify, praise, and thank God for the profound experiences in your life.
With love, joy, and the spirit of Christmas,
Tamara K. Anderson
