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Hope in the Middle of Darkness

                  Imagine being a shepherd watching sheep at night.  Now imagine watching sheep for years and years of nights.  That does not sound very interesting or overly exciting.  Yet, one night, was unlike any other.

                “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” (Luke 2:8-9).

                Of course they were terrified!  However, that fear did not last for long because the angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy… a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!” (verses 10-11). 

                Then that strange night became even more strange when a crowd of heavenly beings appeared saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests” (verse 14).

                You know what happens next:  The shepherds decide to go and see the baby and after they do, they “Spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (verse 17). 

                Here is part of the story that you might not remember:  Scripture notes that, after this, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God” (verse 20).  Returned to what?  To watching their sheep at night.  They went back to their fields and back to the darkness, but I imagine that they never saw the darkness in the same way again.  How could they?  From that day forward, every starry night had to remind them of the time that God broke into their boring, dark lives with news of joy, hope, and light.

                I like that the shepherds heard the message in the night. 

                Remember too that Jesus was born before the angel appeared.  In other words, Jesus was born at night.  You may also recall that on the resurrection morning, it was still dark when the women got to the empty tomb.  Jesus rose in the night!

                This has been a tough year.  In big and small ways, it has been filled with frustration, worry, and sadness, but God has not forgotten us.  He has not fallen asleep.  We are not without hope and light and joy.

                It may seem dark right now, but, thankfully, God still works at night!

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