December 30, 2022 (The Fifth Day toward Epiphany)

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

“The shepherds returned to their fields glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen just as they had been revealed to them.” (Luke 2.20)

TODAY’S REFLECTION:

Let’s just take an inventory of those “shepherds in the fields”:

1. Their ordinary became extraordinary as the glory of the Lord shone round about them and showed them the light of truth which would set them free.
2. Their fear turned into wonder as the good news of a great joy was given to them as a personal possession laid up in Heaven where no moth, rust or thief could render it meaningless.
3. Their wonder lead them to wander as the challenge of a most precious treasure opened the door to see the mercy of God in real life not only to know it was true but that it was just the beginning of something great in their journey of life.
4. Their satisfaction was not complacent nor compliant but transformed into a worship and praise of God who was their Good Shepherd and the One who cared for each of them as His precious lambs.
5. Their determination became opportunity as they did not think of themselves less because the world said so and dared not think of themselves only; but considered all that God had done and was yet to do in them and through them for His glory.
6. Their faith made a difference in bringing hope to others as they affirmed for Mary and Joseph this was no ordinary event, that it hadn’t gone unnoticed and that their work was worthy of doing and doing well.

Shouldn’t the same be said for each one of us to whom the Word of God has been revealed in spirit and in truth?

TODAY’S PRAYER:

Father, You make a difference in our lives and makes our lives different. Thank You for being the difference between life and death. We want to live as fully and completely as possible. What is impossible for us to make happen in this regard, You can surely do and have done so by Your Spirit and by Your Son in whose name we live, serve and pray. AMEN.