Proclaim Hope
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at the shepherds’ words.
-Luke 2:8-18
Who is the first person you tell when you have great news? The shepherds didn’t care who they told – they wanted to tell everyone who came across their path! Just as the angels proclaimed hope to the shepherds, they, in turn, proclaimed hope to everyone they could get to listen. “And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:18) One of the marvelous things about the angels sharing the good news of great joy with shepherds is that they move around a lot. Their flocks need fresh ground every few days and so they could carry the word with them.
Why did God choose shepherds to be the proclaimers of this hope? I believe God shared the good news with them because they were available and willing to be inconvenienced. Other people were busy and distracted, minding their own business and family. Not the shepherds. They had a lot of time on their hands. Their job was important – these shepherds provided lambs for sacrifice in the temple. These were special sheep used for sacred purposes; but it was also a slow way of life. The shepherds also were willing to believe the words of the angels.
God calls each of us to hear hope, see hope, share hope, and proclaim hope to a world desperate for good news of great joy that is for all people! Are we willing to proclaim hope today?
Lord, Without love, we have nothing, wandering aimlessly in a world without hope. As the season of Advent comes to a close, we wait for love by practicing it, by embodying the truth we trust in God-with-us. Forgive us for the times we fail to love you with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Forgive us for not loving our neighbors as ourselves. We seek to live as people of love, reciprocating that which has first been shown to us. Amen.
