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Luke 2.8-20

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The time has come for the good news! For most of us, this passage is etched into our cultural memory as THE Christmas story. The angels, the shepherds and the child “wrapped in bands of cloth” or, more memorably, “swaddling clothes” and lying in a manger. When I think about it, the story is a bit strange. Why does the angel choose to appear to a few shepherds, who had to live outside to watch the sheep? Why only to them? Of course, I know part of the answer. Everything about the birth of Jesus is humble and earthy, including the shepherds. And yet the announcement is over the top--angels, shining light, and a “multitude of the heavenly host” praising God. And then there is Mary, taking it all in, but silently pondering what she has heard in her heart.

I wonder, how do I hear the good news of Christ coming into the world? No, I don’t get angelic choirs, darn it! I’ve always been on the quiet side, so perhaps I’m a bit like Mary. I take a lot in—I’ve learned to be a good listener (most of the time!)-- and try to make sense of it all. To ponder, to think deeply—that’s something to aspire to. Mary, quiet, humble and yet she said “yes” to God!

I hear and I see the good news: a whispered confidence, a shining face, comforts exchanged in times of trouble. I hear and I see…may I have the courage to say yes!

Matthew 4.14-16

So that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”

This morning, right before sitting down to consider this passage from Matthew, I was reading the paper. My eye seemed to wander to every article that was dismaying and sad, and some I read aloud to my husband James. After about the third upsetting article, James got up and said “Okay, enough!” Indeed.
 
I find that distressing news can draw me in. If I am feeling generous to myself I might say that I feel the need to read reports of things, such as human rights violations, the plight of migrants, the personal stories about Covid, not just to stay informed as a good citizen, but as a witness and in solidarity with all the citizens of the world. This can help me clarify my own values about how I want to live and contribute to our world, and can draw me closer to living the message of Jesus. 
 
But if I am to be honest, there are other less righteous reasons I can be attracted to sad news about the world. Sometimes, if I am in a period of struggle, it can feel validating to read that others struggle. If I am feeling particularly negative, it can reflect back to me that the world is a dark place. If I am angry, it can convey to me that there are reasons to stay in anger. Sad news can feed our narcissism, that need to see our own inner-state reflected in the world around us. When we are in this place there is no room for “light,” only our own need for validation. That place is where I started out this morning.
 
Upon reflection this passage reminds me that, as difficult as it may be to do so, I need to embrace the light of God, even when the shadow of death seems ever present. Using sad news for my own emotional needs, while human, is stagnant and does not bring about any positive change. The example of Jesus, in this passage beginning his Galilean ministry, is one of action to address the suffering of people. Jesus never diminishes the suffering of others or even his own suffering, and for me that makes his message of the light all the more powerful. I need to continually work on allowing God’s light to guide me out of the dark, and lead me to a meaningful path closer to God.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, therefore I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in green pasture, and lead me beside still waters.
He shall convert my soul, and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Names sake.
Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou shall prepare a table before me in the presence of them that trouble me; thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
Surely thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

What is a Shepherd? A person who cares for a flock of sheep.

When I came down with Covid19 I was one of the flock. In fact, I did not know what had happened to me. My only recollection was that I was in an ambulance. The next weeks seem to be a blur, Dreams and Hallucinations. I felt that God had forsaken me. I wanted everything to be over, like “Giving up the ghost”. I even asked Jill to end this horror. It took a nurse to break me out of this. She was an Angel of Mercy, asking me what was important to me, and I said my family and my grandchildren. This thought has remained with me throughout my recovery.

I had walked through the “Valley of the Shadow of Death” and God sent this messenger to give me comfort. I was on the right path, one that would take me another 8 months and still counting. He brought me to Virtual Church, and I am still there every Sunday.

I must say that I never could have done this without the support of Jill and the rest of my family, which includes the prayers of all at church and beyond.

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer.