Read Luke 2:1-20.
They were terrified.
The shepherds, that is. They were terrified. In this familiar story, we are introduced to the shepherds whose lives will be changed in just one short night. After the angel delivers the good news, I can’t help but wonder what the journey to Bethlehem was like. Did they talk to each other in a hushed and nervous tone? What would they have talked about? What were those anticipatory moments like?
While we may never know for sure what they talked about on that fateful journey, we can certainly make guesses based on how we’ve lived in these anticipatory moments of the Advent season. I can imagine that these moments before meeting the Messiah were some of the most terrifying. Through this journey, we might have built up expectations and hopes for this next season in our lives. But will we meet these expectations? Will He?
As we live in this anticipation, remember to breathe. We know the end to this story. The newborn King is waiting for us in the manger, so let’s live in this last terrifying, yet beautiful, moment before we step into the light.
Pray
Oh God of waiting, help us to be ready! Open our hearts and our minds so that we are truly ready to hear the good news. As we breathe in, remind us of our period of waiting. All of the terror, the anticipation, and the hope. As we breathe out, help us to be ready for what comes next. Guide us as we step into the Light that is to come. We are ready. In your son’s name, amen.
Sydney Walker
Student, UKirk Williamsburg
Editor’s Note: Don’t forget that Words for Waiting continues through the Christmas season! Daily posts will continue here through Epiphany on January 6.
Words for Waiting 