Interruptions

 June 19, 2023

It’s odd how different the Christmas story in Luke 2 feels when read in June instead of December. All the atmosphere that swirls through the air along with the Christmas carols, TV specials, and store displays has long since dissipated in the cold nights of winter and burgeoning days of spring. It stands alone, stark and almost naked in its description of those long-ago events.

It strikes me how the shepherds were set upon by God. They were simply minding their own business, doing what shepherds do, when suddenly they were accosted by this messenger who so startled them that they stood trembling in fear. And when an entire army of these beings burst from the darkness in a glorious display of splendor and light, they were completely undone. Coming under surprise attack by a superior display of power is enough to unsettle the most stalwart of souls, which is what these shepherds were.

The messengers’ leader, named Gabriel had already turned up in the same manner, not unlike a magician who suddenly materializes in a puff of smoke. Twice he appeared, once to Zechariah, and old man, and once to Mary, a young woman.

None of these people expected what happened to them. I’m sure they had plans of their own, perhaps schedules that needed to be kept, tasks that had to be done; but all of that went down the drain when accosted by God. “Let’s go see this which the Lord has made known to us,” the shepherds intoned to one another, in the same frame of mind that Mary had when she said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Be it to me according to your word.” 

Twice we are told that Mary pondered, “keeping all these things in her heart.” I wonder if we would often be better served if instead of all our planning and preparing of schedules, to do lists, and timelines, we simply prepared our hearts to receive whatever surprises God wants to send our way.