Advent Day 17: Luke 2:13-20

Read & Journal

Read Luke 2:13-20. Use the following questions—any or all—to help you dig deeper into what you’ve read.

• What does this passage reveal about God’s character? How?

• When the angel told the shepherds about the Messiah’s birth, they believed what He had said and acted on it. When have you seen someone display that kind of faith? What did you learn from that example?

• In verses 13-14, the angels praised God for what He had done, but in verse 20, the shepherds are the ones praising God. How have you seen God be faithful to His word and His character in your life the past few weeks? How will you praise Him for it today?

Ponder

The angel had declared that the good news of the Messiah would bring joy to all people, and the shepherds were no exception. Upon hearing the news, the shepherds hurried off to Bethlehem to see with their own eyes what God had done. They didn’t seem to doubt that what the angel said was true. God had revealed His glory in a brilliant, radiant way the shepherds couldn’t miss or doubt, and they wanted to be a part of the work God was obviously doing in the world.

There are moments in each of our individual journeys of faith that shine with God’s brilliance. The moment we encountered Jesus and said yes to His invitation. The answered prayer. A time when the Holy Spirit moved in your heart, your church or your community.

But there are also the moments after those moments, when we have to decide how what God has done and what He has shown us will affect the rest of our lives. Will we stand still, basking in the moment, or will we walk forward into the work God is already doing?

The shepherds recognized that God was up to something. A beautiful, inconceivable story was unfolding in Bethlehem, and they didn’t want to be on the sidelines. The angels’ worship, the good news, the radiance of God—all of these things spurred them to action. The shepherds went to Bethlehem. They told everyone what had happened, and they glorified and praised God for all that He was doing. In the moment after the moment, they took action.

Today, thank God for the specific moments in your life where His presence, goodness, truth and beauty have been gloriously apparent. But then, ask Him to show you how to step forward in faith into the work He is calling you to. There will be joyous milestones and celebrations throughout your journey of faith, but your greatest joy will be found in walking beside Him into the work He is doing.

Follow Him there today.