Have You Any Room? - a 5-Day Christmas Reading PlanSample

Day 3: God Shows Up in the Ordinary

It seems like everybody loves the shepherds. I mean, how could you not? When we think about them, it’s easy to picture peaceful fields—rolling hills, birds chirping, maybe a breeze stirring the trees. Compared to the endless noise of our schedules? Yeah, being a shepherd sounds kind of amazing.

But the truth? Shepherding wasn’t nearly that dreamy. It was cold nights, scorching days, and long hours. They had to stay alert through every season—rain, wind, or worse—because sheep have a way of getting into trouble. One moment, they’re grazing peacefully, and the next, they’re stuck in a ditch or wandering off somewhere dangerous. If the shepherd wasn’t paying attention, predators were waiting, and no one was coming to save the shepherd if things went south. It was tiring, messy work—and there wasn’t much glory in it.

And yet, these were the men God chose to tell the biggest news the world would ever hear. Not royalty, not priests. Just a handful of tired, ordinary guys doing their best to keep things together. And God couldn’t wait to tell them. He sent His angels to burst into their night sky with the kind of joy you can’t keep quiet: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!”

But here’s the thing: the angels weren’t just singing for God—they were singing for us, too. God’s glory and our good are always tied together. Because the same God who holds the stars is the One who cares about lost things, broken things, and things that feel too far gone. The shepherds? They weren’t an afterthought to God. They were the point. And so are we.

God saw exactly where the road we were on was taking us. But instead of leaving us there, He built a way out. He gave us Jesus. And that gift? It’s not just for yesterday. It’s for right now. The angels sang that night, and the truth is—they’re still singing. Because the hope they announced wasn’t just a moment, it’s a promise. And it’s ours to hold onto today.

Reflection:

Life’s full of decisions—some big, some small—but all of them are chances to lean into His voice. The next time you’re faced with a choice, pause and ask: What would it look like to trust God here? Even if it feels uncertain, what if you stepped forward knowing that He’s got you, just like He always has?