"Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2;10-11
Shepherds living out in the fields with their flocks.
A cold winter night, struggling to stay awake and vigilant.
Men looked down upon by many because they were,
after all, field hands of sorts.
Living under the thumb of Roman oppression.
Backwater Bethlehem.
Smelly sheep, stubborn sheep, stupid sheep.
An angel of the Lord appears. Trust me, not the kind of angel portrayed in this picture. A forceful, awesome figure above them in the night sky, surrounded by the overwhelming, blinding light of God's great glory.
"They were terrified."
And the angel of the Lord, mindful of this heavenly intrusion into their small, troubled, sin-darkened world began by reminding them that ehy had nothing to fear.
The od of all the universe was about to concentrate the fullness of His love into the person of a baby. God Who could have devastated the shepherds and the whole planet in His judgement, had chosen mercy over judgment.
And that was very good news.
(C) 2009 by Stephen L Dunn
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