And ... 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." (Luke 2:8-12)

I love that God sent angels to visit the shepherds, so that they were the first to hear about the newborn Savior. Surely they must have wondered, in the years to come: Why would God choose them, of all people? They were poor and humble. Why choose the shepherds?

Maybe because Jesus is our true Good Shepherd, the One who has come to gather God's scattered people and bring them back to safety. Maybe because Jesus is the Lamb of God, who gives His life for us, so that we can have peace with God. Maybe just because these shepherds were the only ones awake and ready to hear the good news—that God had sent all of us a Savior, born to us—us personally—and so they should come to adore Him!

And now God says that to us: "Unto YOU is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Not unto someone else. Unto you—and me, and all of us, broken and sinful as we are. Jesus has come to save us, and we are happy.

WE PRAY: Thank You, Father, for Your Son. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Do you usually expect good news at night, or bad?

* Why do you think God sent angels and not ordinary people?

* If Jesus is born to you, that means He is yours. How do you feel about that?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Nehemiah 1-3    Revelation 16

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