Luke 2:10-15 – And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." (ESV)

Recently at a school nearby, I noticed a long line of children walking two-by-two around the perimeter cinder track being led by a teacher. Further back, I noticed more children and more teachers. Curiosity got the better of me and my dog as we looked through the chain wire fence to see the teachers parading all the school children around, and I pondered why they were there. What I noticed, to my surprise and also to the interest of Daisy the dog, was a pair of reindeer in a small pen for the children to come up close to. I assume Father Christmas was stationed somewhere about as well.

Not what you expect to see on a daily walk past the school playing field!

In my imagination, I was transported back two thousand years to the time of Jesus and wondered what it must have been like to be in the fields shepherding sheep when a whole host of angels broke forth, proclaiming, "The Messiah is here!" This was not the everyday event they expected. However, they were curious enough to go to Bethlehem and see what was unfolding.

Recently, Daisy dog had an experience she wasn't expecting. Caroline had gone off to care for her mother in Rochdale, and during her time away, we connected daily via the video app on our phones. During one call, Daisy dog was startled to see Caroline's face and to hear her voice on the phone! She tilted her head enthralled because she recognized that it was Caroline speaking!

Sometimes, when we pray and read the Bible, God speaks to us in an unexpectedly profound way, and we recognize our God's voice speaking through His Word!

Perhaps, like the shepherds, we may find ourselves with a revelation from God.

I wonder what it is that the Lord is making known to us today. Let's ask!

Prayer: Lord, we marvel at the magnitude of Your grace shown in Your incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. May we hear from You afresh today, and, like the shepherds, may we be amazed at what You are making known to us. In Your name, we pray. Amen.