Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
Day Eight: Mary’s Song of Hope
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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 cloths 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!’” — Luke 2:8-14
Most people love an underdog or an outcast story. Take The Lion King, for example. Scar convinces Simba that his dad’s death is his fault and that he should leave forever. Simba leaves his home and teams up with two outcasts, Timon and Pumbaa. In a way, Simba becomes an outcast himself. Of course, it’s easy to cheer for Simba and his new friends. We want to see Simba back with his people and ruling over the Pride Land. We hope that the underdog is the “winner” in a story.
What we read above introduces us to a group of outcasts who are important to the story of Jesus’ birth. An angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds. As they are minding their business and taking care of their sheep, this angel announces that Jesus the Christ, the long-awaited Savior of the world, is here. These shepherds are expected to tell everyone they know about this hopeful, good news! These guys will eventually be the main people to spread the Good News about Jesus’ birth. Here’s the thing: shepherds were the outcasts in their culture at the time. So, it was a huge deal that God trusted them to spread the news about Jesus’ arrival!
The Christmas song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” celebrates this message from the angels. “Hark” is a command to listen, and a herald is a messenger. This old English hymn is basically saying, “Listen up everyone, these angels have been sent to tell you something amazing!”
The amazing news is that God and sinners are reconciled, meaning that Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection made a way for all people to be considered “good” with God. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to live apart from God because of our sins! That is worth celebrating.
The Christmas song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” celebrates this message from the angels. “Hark” is a command to listen, and a herald is a messenger. This old English hymn is basically saying, “Listen up everyone, these angels have been sent to tell you something amazing!”
The amazing news is that God and sinners are reconciled, meaning that Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection made a way for all people to be considered “good” with God. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to live apart from God because of our sins! That is worth celebrating.
Questions:
1. God chose shepherds to share the Good News with the world. What does that show you about who God is?
2. How do you feel about telling people about Jesus?
3. Who is one person you can share the Good News of Jesus with this week?