Light Breaks Through

“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.  

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 

Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”   

Luke 2:8-15

On the day Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds on the night watch with the sheep.  This one angel was soon joined by more angels singing and celebrating the arrival of the Messiah.  

It is so hard to wrap my head around what happened in those moments in that field.  

I don’t know how big the field was or how spread out the shepherds were as they watched over the sheep.  Still, for whatever reason, in my head, when I think of this night, I imagine these shepherds gathered around a fire, talking with one another, gazing at the stars, and keeping a watchful eye on the sheep.  My picture might be completely wrong, but regardless, it was just a typical day for them - until it wasn’t.  

I’m not sure what I would do if an angel of the Lord stood before me.  My best guess is that I would be terrified since that seems to be the typical response in Scripture.  Not only did the angel stand before them, but the glory of the Lord shone around them. 

What must it have been like when the darkness around them was shattered? 

What did it feel like for the glory of the Lord to be all around them? 

Did they want to weep, jump with joy, dance, sing, cheer, run away - all of the above?  It feels impossible to fathom all that they felt in that moment.  

They must have been elated to hear that the Messiah had been born.  The Messiah for whom they had been waiting.  The Messiah who would change everything forever. 

Nothing would ever be the same after that night.  They must have had so many questions! 

And then, to add to the wonder of it all, the one angel was joined by many angels singing and celebrating this glorious news.  

When the angels had left them, the shepherds followed the directions they’d been given and dashed off to find the Messiah, whose very arrival broke through the darkness, penetrating every crevice with the light of hope.  

I imagine they talked about this night for the rest of their lives! 

Today, all these years later, may we continue to experience awe and wonder as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.


Merry Christmas -  Melissa