Advent Devotional - Day 27: by Russ Hauck

December 25, 2009

READING: Luke 2:1-14

“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 5-7

This is the familiar story of the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem, because there was no room for them in the inn. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And an angel announced the birth to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night with these words.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

There is so much that is remarkable about this passage in Luke that we could spend many hours in study and discussion. But, Advent is not the time for deep study. It’s more a time for reflection and remembrance, and quiet preparation – a time for us to lose ourselves in the role of those shepherds who were visited first by the angel and then by a heavenly host singing “Glory to God in the highest.” If we hear these words from Luke and close our eyes, we can almost imagine being there with those shepherds. And, why not, for God’s spirit lives within us. We are those shepherds and they are us; we are in their house and lineage.

At each worship service throughout the year, we sing the Gloria: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth,” reminding us of this announcement to the shepherds. But especially during Advent, we are reminded of that ancient night of announcement. We’re looking for that sign and we want to recapture that sense of wonder that we felt as a child, or that the shepherds felt when they were visited by the heavenly host. Like a child, we know what’s coming, but we’re waiting to be surprised, nonetheless. And, like those shepherds, we’re looking for a sign and, we may not know it consciously, but we’re ready to respond. We are prepared to receive Him into our lives and to respond to God’s gift.

Let us pray: Most gracious and loving God, we come to you during this Advent season with many problems that weigh heavenly on our hearts. Help us to set those things aside, even as we tend to our flocks. Open our hearts and our minds, our hands and our arms, so that we might see you in our manger and welcome you with worship and praise. Glory to God in the highest. Amen.