“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’” (Luke 2:10-15 ESV)

Recently I noticed a long line of children walking two-by-two around the perimeter cinder track being led by a teacher at the school nearby.  Further back I noticed more children and more teachers.  Curiosity got the better of me and my dog, as we looked through the chain wire fence to see the teachers parading all the school children around, and ponder why they were there?  What I noticed, to my surprise and also the interest of Daisy the dog, was a pair of reindeer in a small pen for the children to come up close to.  I assume Father Christmas was stationed somewhere about as well.

Not what you expect to see on a daily walk past the school playing field.

Subsequently it made me transport my imagination back two thousand years ago to the time in Luke 2 above and wonder what it must have been like to be in the fields shepherding sheep when a whole host of angels break forth and start proclaiming the messiah is here! Not the everyday event they expected.  However they were curious enough to go to Bethlehem and see what was what.

Recently I have been on my own whilst Caroline has been away tending her mother in Rochdale leaving the children in my tender care, at least in my care anyway; now home for Christmas.

We spoke daily in her absence over the video app we have on our old iphones.  Daisy dog and I missed her and, on hearing Caroline’s voice – her mistress – and seeing her picture on the phone she tilted her head from side to side because she knew it was Caroline!

So we too, when we pray and read the Bible can recognise our Saviour’s influence and voice speaking into our lives!

Like the shepherds may we decide to seek out Jesus our Saviour and see what it is The Lord is making known to us today?

Prayer: Lord, Your incarnation is a wonderful mystery. We marvel at the magnitude of Your Grace shown towards in that act and resurrection. May we hear from You today, as the shepherds did before us, and be amazed, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Roderick Marshall