Today is December 17th in the 3rd week of Advent.
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you. 
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit. 
  
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2. 
  

“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.” 
  
  
The Christ story is likely very familiar to you who are listening. Perhaps, too familiar. How familiar is this story to you? How familiar is this advent season? 
  
But what a strange and unfamiliar thing we find in this story. I don’t mean the angel, not the heavenly choir, not even the glory of the Lord! Unexpected perhaps, but not strange if one believes in God. What is strange is the thing that all of this supernatural and majestic grandeur is pointing to: a baby, wrapped in clothes, lying in a manger. Think about that for a moment, and allow the absurdity of it to interrupt you. A baby. All of heaven opens for a baby. The savior is a poor, refugee baby… not born in a palace, but in a barn! Consider for a moment how the hiddenness of God is obscured, except for those who have been given eyes to see. 
  
Take a moment and ask yourself, “Where might Christ be showing up in unexpected places in my life?” Talk to God now, and pray for fresh eyes, fresh ears, and a fresh understanding of his entrance into the world. Ask Him to show you “this thing that has happened” in a way that is full of new life. 
  
As we end our time of prayer, and as we approach the celebration of Christmas, take time to think about someone you know who might find this story terribly UNfamilar. Someone who might even be surprised to hear the claim of Jesus: that He came not to judge the world, but to save it. Intercede today, by name if you can, for someone to be interrupted by the Christ-child this Christmas. 
  
Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 
  
Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 
  
In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.