Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

This is such a familiar passage, I knew which verse I was going to write on before I even read it just now! That’s the thing about the Christmas story: it is in some ways numbingly familiar, yet it is at the same time marvelously deep and rich. Again, I have no idea how many times I’ve written on this verse, but some things bear repeating. Taking this verse in the English word order, it starts by saying the shepherds went back to where they had been and what they had been doing. You can say that and it would be true, but the shepherds themselves were profoundly changed by what they had experienced, and nothing would ever be exactly the same. That said, pivotal experiences sometimes mean a complete change in lifestyle, but sometimes things just simply have to be done, as was the case with the shepherds. They couldn’t just drop everything and suddenly become itinerant prophets, because their responsibility with the sheep was real. Bethlehem was where sheep destined for temple sacrifice were herded, and they could not walk away. At the same time, I’m sure they couldn’t stop thinking and talking about what they had experienced. This was life-changing indeed! We have no idea how devout they were before this experience, but they were certainly the firmest of believers afterward! Never having had an experience anything close to what they had, I can only imagine their state of mind and heart. I have a feeling they didn’t complain about anything for at least quite a while after that! They knew without any question that God cared about His people Israel, and they knew that somehow, for some reason, He had chosen to involve them in what He was doing. I hope none of them later devolved into pride, that they had been chosen for this role, but somehow I doubt it. Their hearts were totally focused on God, and that put everything else into perspective. We may never have such a dramatic experience, but we need to be equally focused on God. If we will do that, everything will fall into perspective for us as well, and that’s something we all need.

I didn’t know what my key word would be when I started writing, but I see that it is perspective. That’s certainly something I need! I am as prone as anyone to get caught up in what is in front of my nose. It is only when I fix my heart on God, His love for me and what He has done, for me and through me, that I can gain right perspective on whatever is going on at the moment. That is an issue every Christmas, but I think I’ve done a little better about it this year than sometimes. Last night, as we were gathering to prepare to go caroling in the neighborhood, I did have a moment akin to a panic attack, just wanting to get away from it all, but I was able to confess that to one of the believers, and she said she understood that about me. That helped me step back just a little and settle me down, and the rest of the evening went very well indeed. We were blessed, and we blessed those for whom we sang, and God was glorified. I even got a glimpse of some things God might be planning for the future, and I am comforted and encouraged. I have things on my schedule for today, and tomorrow we have the Christmas Eve service, and then the pressure is largely off for a while. It’s been many years now since God told me to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, but I’m still learning. By His grace, though, I will indeed gain the perspective I need, not only to receive all that He has for me but also to be His instrument in blessing those around me, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for all that You are doing. Thank You indeed for all that You did yesterday, and all that You will continue to do. May indeed Your name be acknowledged as holy and Your rule and reign be established as Your will is done, as perfectly in this world as it is before Your throne in heaven. Thank You. Hallelujah!