![[Painting of the annuciation to the shepherds]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/annunciation_to_the_shepherds_v02.jpg)
| 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” |
| —Luke 2:8-11 |
In our modern age, we become used to receiving news that shocks us. Some think that we become so used to news that nothing moves us. But, this simply is not true.
News of a diagnoses of some dreaded health crisis can shake us to the very core of our being. The unexpected death of a loved one can strike us into a great ourpouring of grief. News about some world-shaking event can stun us. Even something that a friend might tell us can momentarily shock us.
Recently, I had been struggling with overwhelming emotions about certain past events in my life that I found very perplexing. Then, someone I respect made a somewhat offhanded comment that stopped me dead in my tracks. The person making the statement had no idea of the struggle through which I was going. And, the comment this person made did not even directly relate to what was grinding through my thought processes.
Nevertheless, a rather simple statement—an admission to a certain experience this person had had—nearly knocked me over. Instantly, I had insight into my own unrelated struggles. While I was grateful for the insight, the reality of how that insight had come to my attention truly startled me.
Imagine the shock that the shepherds must have felt when their quiet hillside was suddenly shattered by the appearance of an angel of God. It is important to note that the angel anticipated the shock this news might bring. The angel told the shepherds: “Do not be afraid.”
The news the angel brought them was beyond their ability to comprehend. And yet, the angel was right in saying that this news was most certainly “…good news of great joy.”
What news might shock us today? What message will cause us to stop and look around us that we might see the events of our lives in a new and exciting way?
As we contemplate what the shepherds must have experienced, let us rejoice that the good news of great joy has permeated our world, too. Jesus has come. He has been born, lived, suffered, died, rose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven so that we might become free from the penalty for our sins and have our relationship with God permanently healed. If that doesn’t shock us, likely nothing else will.
