The Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2008

The Shepherds!
Scripture
Luke 2:8-9, 15-20 (HCSB) 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. … 15 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 has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.


JOY! The Shepherds were given the great news and responded in faith to go to see the child, born to be the kings!
This is another one of those moments we wonder what God was thinking. The shepherds were stinky smelly unclean lowly field workers. Couldn’t God think of someone else to send the birth announcement to?
First of all, God is not a respecter of persons, so it never probably crossed his mind.
Secondly, God was looking for a group of people who would respond, as they did, in faith!
I wonder if a group of religious leaders would have been so quick to drop everything to go to Bethlehem.

Questions for Discussion
How about us? How would we respond? How do we respond?
God is still announcing his intentions through his word.
Be kind to one another.
Love one another.
Love God.
Love your neighbor.
Do we rush to respond in faith?

Prayer
Dear God, Help me respond in faith to the message You give me, like the shepherds! Amen.
Song
“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”