Reading
Read Luke 2:8–18
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That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Reflection Questions
- Has there been a time in your life when you’ve felt overlooked? What was that experience like? How does this story offer hope to you in that?
- Read Matthew 5:3–12. What does Jesus say about the poor, those in need, and those who are mocked? How do Jesus’ words apply to you? Therefore, how can you look to others that a community might label outcasts/loners and show them the love of God we see in this story?
- After seeing how God used the lowly shepherds to share the good news of Jesus’ birth, how can you also respond to the good news?
- Who do you feel compelled to share your story and the good news with?