She Reads Truth: EmmanuelSample

The Angels Proclaim the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds

Reflection

All the way at the bottom of the totem pole - that’s where God started with the birth announcement of His Son. Not with royalty, not even with family. He sent word of Christ’s birth in the most regal way to the most non-regal of people.

Even then, He was inviting us in. Even in this minor detail, He was extending us grace.

Thousands of years before us, our God sent a multitude of angels to a group of no-name sheep herders on a hillside near Bethlehem. The angels sang in chorus and told of the King’s birth. And that message? Sisters, that message was meant for us.

It is no accident that God started here with the good news - the good news that was for all people. It was no consequence that the marginalized and forgotten were the first to know a Savior had come, the first to be given an invitation and directions to meet the Christ child in person.

He was “the radiance of the glory of God... the exact imprint of [God’s] nature,” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV) and He came for you. He came for me.

Raymond Ortlund, Jr. describes the shepherds’ encounter like this: “God is there in his glory. He drew aside the curtain of the heavens so that the shepherds could see reality - his glory, which is always there but is usually concealed from our view.”

Praise God He drew back the curtain that night in Bethlehem! Praise Him for giving a glimpse of His glory to people the likes of us.

Prayer

Father, thank you for noticing us here on the outskirts, quietly going about our lives. Thank you for not just seeing us, but for loving us, pursuing us and inviting us in. Reveal your glory to us today and make that glory the reality in which we live our everyday. Amen.

Advent Action

Create a birth announcement of Jesus’ birth, personalized for you.  Involve the whole family, if you like. (Just words on a piece of paper is fine! Or get crafty if you’re inspired.:)

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