Advent Devotional - Day 17

DECEMBER 17 – Luke 2: 15-20
By: Neil Lund

15 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.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The story of the shepherds at the birth of Jesus is so common, so simple, yet profound. Early in the gospel of Luke, we are given a model for our life. The shepherds believed and spread the word. In our world, we often find it hard to spread the word. We are not gifted speakers. We face an unreceptive audience. We are not trained in what to say.

Was it any different for the shepherds? Was their world any easier? Were they eloquent speakers? I think not. They faced the same challenges as us. They spread the word. So should we.

Dear Lord, help me follow the example of the shepherds, and guide me so that I, too spread the word. Amen.