December 21, 2020
Luke 2:9—Shepherds and Angels
“An angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.” Luke 2:9
Because I am “a country boy” who grew up among farms in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, I can identify with shepherds. In Jesus’ time shepherds had a hard, dangerous job that often involved risking their lives to protect the sheep. They worked long hours, sacrificed human comforts, and were socially unappreciated. Many times, Jesus is compared to being our Shepherd. The 23rd Psalm characterizes God as our Shepherd and says, “not to be afraid for You are close beside me.”
At times all of us have been “terrified.” For me, one of the scariest periods of my life was the three years I spent teaching in a Japanese Presbyterian college. In many challenging situations while living in a culture so different, my only option was to trust and stay close to the Shepherd leading me.
Another terrifying period for me was seven years watching my first wife battle lung cancer. I could not begin to count the times that His light led me through dark nights and His arms carried me when I didn’t have the strength to take another step.
All of us, as we experience these terrifying times, can feel the support of His angel and the light of His love guiding us to the Manager.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for staying close and sending Your angel and light during life’s terrifying times. Amen
Joe Flory