Week Four

Sometimes, amid the busyness and stress of our lives, we want a sign. We want God to tell us what to do or to show us that we’re on the right track. Signs from God are a big part of the Christmas story. Mary, Joseph and Zechariah got visits from angels. The magi followed a star in the sky. And shepherds got a concert from a heavenly host.

For the shepherds, receiving a sign from God was shocking and frightening. Their job of tending and protecting sheep was already dangerous; receiving messages from strange beings in the middle of the night only added to the anxiety that the shepherds were already feeling.

A group of shepherds had no reason to think that they would be chosen by God to hear a special announcement. While their work was essential, it didn’t offer much in the way of wealth, power and glory. Shepherds was common people. Yet shepherds were the people whom God chose to be the first to meet the Christ child.

Throughout Jesus’ story and the story of the early church, we see examples of the Holy Spirit working through unlikely people. We know that God continues to be present with us in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit moves through us; we just need to slow down and allow ourselves to focus.

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 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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
             “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

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.”  Luke 2:8 – 20

When have you seen a sign that gave you hope or helped you make an important decision?

Put yourself in the shepherds’ position. How do you think, you would have responded to the angel’s news? Specifically, how might you have reacted to the news that the person being described as your “Savior” was a newborn baby?

The shepherds were unlikely recipients of Good’s call to visit the Christ child and spread the word of his birth. They also received this call at an unlikely time: at night while they were working. When have you encountered God’s presence in an unlikely time or place?

CLOSING PRAYER: God, thank you for bringing us together for this time of study and discussion. Thank you for the witness of the shepherds. As we navigate the busyness of the season, give us the peace of mind to be aware of the Holy Spirit’s constant presence in our lives. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen