Faith Like the Shepherds - Your Nightly Prayer - December 4th
Faith Like the Shepherds
Your Nightly Prayer
by Peyton Garland
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Luke 2:15
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Have you ever considered why God commanded His angels to notify nameless, socially outcast shepherds of the Savior’s birth? Not only that, but God granted them the opportunity to visit the manger and witness the tiny baby in all His fresh, wrinkly glory. It’s important to recognize that, in biblical times, it was common for shepherds to be ex-criminals, as they were rarely allowed to reintegrate into society and participate in jobs that directly dealt with finances and/or the public. Solely dealing with sheep in the middle of open plains was the ideal job for their situation.
When I reflect on the day my first son was born, I remember that I barely wanted my parents and in-laws to hold him, and I wasn’t keen on nurses handling him, either. I wanted my little one to stay in my protective, maternal bubble. If I were Mary, I’m certain I wouldn’t have allowed cattle-smelling, ex-cons to visit my baby, let alone touch him or hold him. If they admitted they were sent by God to see this little Savior, I might let them stay on the outside of the stable/cave, but they would certainly keep a five-yard distance. (I wonder if this wasn’t the base suffering Mary endured as Christ’s mother, recognizing that her maternal instincts must always be surrendered to the fearless, just sovereignty of the Living God.)
When I approach the shepherds with this haughty attitude, though, am I not missing the big picture, whether labeled “maternally understandable” or not? Have I not become a Pharisee and forgotten that only the lowliest, humblest people ever see Jesus for who He truly is? When God invited the shepherds to participate in welcoming the Messiah into the world, He was reminding us to come humbly, to be in His presence with simple obedience, awe, and thanksgiving.
We are to show up without any notion that the gifts we bring or our present accolades make us worthy of an invitation. Our career status or clean background check won’t make us any more or less than who we are as flawed human beings in need of a good, gracious Savior. This art of humility isn’t meant to degrade us or belittle our worth—far from it! Rather, it’s to ensure the only One who truly deserves all glory and praise is magnified, that He remains the center of not only the nativity scene but our hearts and minds.
If we remove Christ from the center of our Christmas, the center of our hearts, we have, unintentionally or not, made the gospel about us. Thus, it’s no longer the gospel, no longer God redeeming fallen man, but man still chasing that same forbidden fruit in the garden, returning to the lie that true fulfillment is self-created.
The gospel is simple, friends. It’s all of us as shady shepherds, wise men (who were most likely sorcerers), and smelly cattle submitting to the only source of light and hope we have, Jesus. And until we rest in Him for our eternal hope and peace, the picture of the infant Savior will remain nothing but festive decor, meant to accent our lives for only a brief season.
This Christmas, return to the simplicity of the powerful gospel. Let your heart and mind not only replay but process this glorious thing that has happened. Allow the baby in the manger to be the sovereign Lord of your life. Let His love flood you with unending joy.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father,
Thank you for your Son, the precious infant in a manger. Thank you that through Christ’s humble beginnings, and His willingness to be embraced by the lowliest and vilest, we have the freedom to find joy in humbly submitting to your good and perfect will. I praise you for this glorious nativity miracle, and I ask that this Christmas season, I am overwhelmed by your love and joy. Allow me not to keep the richness of this season and your sacrifice to myself. Grant me your guidance and boldness to share the miracle of what Christmas truly is, so all the world can kneel before the swaddled baby in a lowly manger.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. God’s choice of the lowly:
Why did He reveal the birth of Jesus to outcasts first? What does that say about how God values humility over status?
2. Surrendering control:
Like Mary, are there moments when we resist God’s will because it challenges our comfort or instincts?
3. Keeping Christ at the center:
Have we let our faith or Christmas traditions become more about us than about the Savior Himself?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
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