Strange Visitors – Read Luke 2:8-20
Contemplation
It is a cold night and a group of shepherds are looking after their sheep on the hillside nearby. These are strong, tough men who spend their lives in the fields, away from the cities. Most people are a bit afraid of them but also think they are rude, bad-mannered and smelly – a bit like the sheep they look after. They have weapons to protect their sheep from animals (and the occasional thief) – and they know how to use them. While they are sitting on the cold, grassy hillside, suddenly they hear the Voice of an angel and see and feel God’s power around them. These tough men are now very scared indeed. The angel tells them not to be frightened – he has very good news. Not just for them, but for everyone! He tells them that the One the whole world has been waiting for to save them has been born and is lying in an animal’s feed trough outside Bethlehem! Suddenly, many angels are there saying, “Glory to God. Peace to good people.” The shepherds are amazed, and when the angels have left, they run to Bethlehem and find Mary, Joseph and Jesus – just as the angel said. They are filled with happiness and, as they go home, they tell everyone they meet in the streets about this amazing little boy and his family.
Listen to the angel with the shepherds and go with them to Bethlehem.
Talk to the shepherds. What do they feel?
How do Mary and Joseph and the people in the streets feel meeting the shepherds?
Have I felt like anyone in this story? What was it like?