Light your candle every time you pray in Advent. You may need to get more candles. That would be great. This common practice will unite us in the darkening days. Shine your light on social media using #HowWeHope as often as you need to feel the connection. You are not alone. The Lord is near. We are near.
Today’s Bible reading
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.—Luke 2:10-11
More thoughts for meditation
They are reassured to not fear because this is the announcement they’ve been waiting for comes. The angel-filled sky, intimidating for any observer, brings “good news of great joy for all the people.” The shepherds need good news. They are under an Empire, in captivity, without a place to call home. Their national spirit is destroyed, they are impoverished, and they are ignored. They need good news for all the people. They need a savior. The “city of David” is getting their Messiah.
The angels are bringing explicitly familiar language to the shepherds. Despite the good news being for all the people, the angels deliver to the shepherds, to curb their fear, in language they understand. They are meeting the Messiah they have longed for; He is much more than that, but he is also that.
Suggestions for action
From what do you need to be saved? For most of us, a savior being born in the city of David doesn’t mean much. For the shepherds that meant that the savior promised to them by the prophets had arrived. This Savior, that’s offering good news to all the people, offers good news to you specifically. Just as he met these shepherds, immediately in their context, he meets us in our own humanity too and saves us from what we need to be saved from. That’s how we hope.
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