Finding time for shepherds and troublemakers
Albert Bogle
December 25, 2022
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Luke 2: 8-20 (NRSVA)
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’15 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.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
This is no fairytale — these shepherds could give the song by the Pogues, ’Fairytale of New York’ a run for its money. They knew how to squabble and how to fight and how to swear and how to steal and how to sing.
And it was to people like this, disregarded, seen at the bottom of the pile, whose language was coarse, these where the people angels broke into time to shine God’s glory upon. It was people like this that the babe Jesus when he grew up would befriend. It was one of these so called punks, hanging on a cross, whom he befriended at the very last, telling him ‘today you’ll be with me in paradise.’
It is to people like this that the church is called to befriend. Happy Christmas to all the outsiders, rule breakers and trouble makers, who want a new start. You’re about to be blessed and reassessed and told you are loved forgiven. And if you’re shocked, welcome to an authentic Christmas morning — hallelujah!
PRAYER:
I didn’t expect
To see it like this from your perspective
Yet, it’s there for all to see
You hit the ground running
From the very beginning
It was sinners you came to save
From beginning to end
that was and is your plan
Lord Jesus,
Friend of sinners
Where angels have trod
I’m willing to follow
If you will go before us
Renewing the church with sinners
Saved by your an mazing grace.
Hallelujah - What a Saviour!
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