Note: This is the third in a series of Advent devotions called, “Make Room for Christmas.”
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you — wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. — Luke 2:8-11 CEB
Christmas is busy! There is so much to do!
The decorating needs to be done. We need to prepare for the arrival of guests. You may be expected to attend the company Christmas party with your spouse. The kids’ pageants at the church are coming up. Shopping and baking still needs to get done. We wonder every year how we’re going to fit it all in.
But it’s not this way only at Christmas time. Some of us live similarly the other 11 months of the year also. We expend so much energy going from here to there, accomplishing to-do list item A through to-do list item Z with little room to pause and ponder.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons the shepherds were the first to hear about the birth of Jesus. They were “living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night.” It must have been quieter with their flocks than it was with the crowds in town who’d arrived for the census.
In the midst of our busyness at Christmas and other times throughout the year, we need to take time for wonder, awe and peace.
Have you been busy as you prepare for Christmas? How will you take time to go out to the fields and look up into the sky? How will you pause, process and give thanks for all that God is doing in and for you?
How will you make room for peace this Christmas?
Prayer: O God, slow me down so that I might experience the wonder, awe and peace of Christmas. Amen.
*Joe Iovino works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. Contact him by email or at 615-312-3733.
This devotion published December 10, 2018.
