In the past, I spent a lot of time walking in the mountains of North Wales with my two springer spaniels. I found myself completely immersed in nature, admiring the beauty of God’s creation. Sheep would often graze in the fields and, occasionally, I caught a glimpse of shepherds tending to their flock. Today, I would like to reflect on Luke 2: 15-21. It is a story about shepherds and their urgent response to a divine invitation.
To set the scene, the shepherds had been looking after their flock in the fields, when the angel of the Lord appeared in the night sky. The angel brought good news of the birth of a saviour called Jesus, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. Then a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the angel. They glorified God, and offered peace to all those who had found favour with God. In Luke 2:15, after the angels leave and go to heaven, we hear the shepherds’ response, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” The shepherds are part of a caring community. They tend to their flock, and they look out for each other. We notice that they have a sense of urgency about them, and a readiness to respond to God’s call quickly. I think this verse resonates with us today, because there is a parallel between how the shepherds respond, and how we can take action to help people in need. In our context, we can be caring shepherds in our local communities. We can tend to the flock by helping families who are struggling to make ends meet during these cold Winter months. So I wonder, what is God calling you to do in your local community today?
As the narrative unfolds, we are transported to a humble place called Bethlehem. The shepherds find the baby Jesus lying in a manger. This reminds us that God’s revelation is for everyone, and not just for those in high places. This is a story about inclusivity, and I think it speaks directly to our own experiences of living in a community where people are connected, regardless of who they are in society. By coming together, either in-person or online, we get a sense of belonging. We are all part of one church family, united in Christ. In Luke 2:20, the shepherds return. They glorify and praise God for all that they have heard and seen, and the people are amazed by what the shepherds are telling them. The encounter with Jesus clearly has a transformative effect on them, and they are keen to share this with others. The role of the shepherds as messengers resonates with us today. Just like the shepherds, we can share our stories of encountering God. We can be the bearers of hope, and we can inspire others. I believe this verse is asking us to glorify and praise God in our own context, to acknowledge the influence that God has on us, and to appreciate the support that God gives us. It is encouraging us to share the joy of the Gospel with others. Luke 2:21 tells us that Jesus is named on the eighth day. This is significant for the Jewish people, both culturally and religiously, because the covenant that God had made with them is being fulfilled. Similarly, our own Christian journey means that we can embrace the promises that God is making with us today, helping us to find meaning and purpose in our own lives. The verse reminds us that our Christian tradition, with its rich liturgical heritage and sacred rituals, is important to us. We have a deep connection to our spiritual heritage, and this shapes who we are as disciples of Christ.
Finally, as we reflect on this passage from Luke’s Gospel, may we be inspired to eagerly respond to God’s revelations, and let us see the spiritual significance of the natural world that surrounds us. I pray that you will respond to God’s call, with a sense of urgency. Let us celebrate the diversity of our church family, and adopt a sense of community responsiveness. May we continue to uphold the Christian tradition, and share the joy of the Gospel with others. And just as the shepherds went back to their fields transformed by the experience of witnessing the baby Jesus, let us live our lives with a new sense of purpose, in a deeper relationship with God. I pray that you will be inspired by the timeless wisdom that can be found in Luke’s Gospel, and that you will navigate the complexity of our contemporary world in the knowledge that you are loved by Christ. Amen.
(Reflection and prayers written by Sarah Swallow)
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