Luke 2:10-11
Stop.
Close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. Picture a dark, quiet night with a sky full of stars. In that quiet and calm, what might God say to you? Let that message fill you with peace.
Listen.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11
Reflect.
Angels regularly preface their messages with the direction to not be afraid. If you listen to books like Ezekiel, Isaiah, or Revelation to hear what heavenly messengers might look like, you realize just how terrifying they might look. A far cry from the gentle, white-robed cherubs with rosy faces that might hang on your Christmas tree, they are alternatingly described as human-animal hybrids, covered in fire, having numerous faces, being essentially made of wings, and more difficult-to-comprehend descriptions.
In other words: it’s not just the messages they bear that make them terrifying. They’re pretty scary all on their own.
When the angel, followed by an entire sky full of the heavenly host, appeared to the shepherds in the field, it’s a bit of a miracle that the shepherds went looking for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. First of all, the shepherds had important work to do in protecting their flocks through the dark of night. But most importantly, it’s hard to believe that the shepherds would actually take in the “good news of great joy” from half human flaming creatures flapping their half-dozen wings in mid-air.
We all think we want to know what God’s trying to tell us. We never consider that maybe what God’s saying is too hard – or too terrifying – for us to even process. Humans are notorious for craving stability, safety, and supremacy. God’s word tends to upend things, make things more risky, and remind us of our call to serve others. Perhaps the miracle is not that God speaks but that we ever listen at all.
Perhaps the best we can hope for is to be like the shepherds, who overcame their own fear and managed to show up anyway. Perhaps we have to learn to hear God’s word as a worthwhile risk. Perhaps we are called to breathe, move past our anxieties, and allow ourselves to be led. It might just lead us to the manger.
Pray.
God, I confess that it often feels scary to go where you send me. Speak to me anyway. Let your peace and joy truly live in my heart so I can take on the challenges you put before me to your glory and for the good of my neighbor. Amen.
Carry On.
How do you discern what God might be saying to you? In the busy-ness of the next few days, can you set aside even a few minutes to sit, rest, and listen?