Dreams of Glory
Advent Week 4: Shepherds
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:9-11 (NIV)
Have you ever wondered what heaven will look like? The shepherds may have had a glimpse of it when an angel appeared announcing the Messiah’s birth in the dark of the night. It must have been a surreal and indescribable scene, one in which they thought they were dreaming. Can you imagine what this would have looked like and what the shepherds felt? It’s possible that their senses came alive and were filled with God’s glory as the ground thundered with the voice of the angel. Maybe the shepherds shielded their eyes against the brightness and their knees buckled until they were facedown before the magnificent sight. The shepherds responded to this life-changing experience by hurrying to the Savior, telling others, and glorifying God for everything they had seen and heard.
The shepherds’ lives appear to have been changed by the presence of the Lord. What about in your own life? (Read Luke 2:8-20 for the whole story.)
1. God gave the shepherds a glimpse of His glory among their every-day duties of keeping watch over their sheep. Have you had a glimpse of God’s power among the ordinary routine of your life? If so, how has He shown up?
2. Use your imagination and place yourself in the scene as you re-read Luke 2:8-20 aloud. Let the amazing gift of our Savior fill you with praise and glory to God.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
3. The shepherds “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child”. With whom can you share the news of Jesus’ birth? Ask God for His guidance and excitement to tell this amazing story.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”. Thank you, Lord, for showing up among my ordinary routines. As I go through my day, help me to see glimpses of your glory. Change my life so that I can joyously praise you and tell others of everything that I have seen and heard. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.