Day 12: The Faith of Joseph and Mary
Scripture to meditate on: Luke 2:8-20 The Shepherds’ Faith-Filled Response
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.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Devotional:
The shepherds’ ears are tuned to the sounds of the night. They are listening for any danger that may affect their flocks. They are on alert for something bad to happen. Instead, they are startled by the sounds of heaven, the message of angels.
Then these reliable, responsible shepherds do a highly impractical thing. They leave their sheep behind, while it’s still dark, to go see a baby. They trust that God will take care of their flocks as they go in search of the Messiah. They travel by faith and not by sight.
And when they finally find the baby, they believe in him. Not because of what he says or does, but because he is exactly as the angels said he would be—wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
They’ve seen the angels. They’ve seen their Savior. And now they spread the word about this to others. Everyone who hears their story is amazed because these shepherds have been transformed.
Questions to ponder:
- What does this passage say about God?
- What does this passage say about me or my relationships?
- What should I do in light of this passage?
