Today’s Reading: Luke 2:8-16 NRSV
“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing …”
The familiar story of the shepherds contains a subtle message that I believe we would do well to consider; namely the fact that God’s actions in our world are seldom dramatic. This truth is captured in several of our favorite hymns of the Advent season. Silent Night, Holy Night are words that speak of the fact that Jesus birth was not announced to the world, only to a few shepherds. The birth of a child in Bethlehem that night would have gone totally unnoticed if these herdsmen had not been confronted by angels. The hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” speaks of “how silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given”. It is only as the shepherds share their story with others that the impact of that event is made known and then “all who heard it were amazed.”
As we conclude this season of “pondering” let us take a moment to consider that even today as then, God’s actions in the world go largely unnoticed. It is only through the eyes of faith that we see where in our world God continues to “impart to human hearts the blessings of his heaven”. And so in the words of the hymnist, “ Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.” Merry Christmas!
Reflections 