“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:20
Lord Jesus, it’s December 26th, and many of us are over-stuffed, under-slept, very-spent. Mostly, however, we’re exceedingly grateful—thankful you actually came into our world to us, and for us.
For those of us for whom Christmas has been/is sweet, we acknowledge you as the God from whom all blessings flow. For those of us for whom it’s been “challenging”—we’re grateful you are always at work in all things for our good.
Jesus, when you were one day-old, a “5-star” inn didn’t open up for you, Mary, and Joseph. And when the shepherds left your manger, they were joyful, but still shepherds. They didn’t get a TV show, write a book, or start a podcast. They returned to a difficult life, the social stigma of being shepherds, and a denarii-to-denarii lifestyle. But truly, everything had changed.
You came into our broken world, full of broken people—not to be our butler, concierge, or masseur, but our Savior. What we need the most, you freely and fully gave/give us—salvation. Thank you, and Hallelujah!
For the remainder of 2021, and the whole of 2022, restore us to the first-love we had for you—those days when we treasured you and our salvation above everything. And from the incomparable, inexhaustible love you have for us, free us to love fellow broken people. Whether we are “shepherds” or hedge fund owners, that’s all that really matters until the day you take us Home (Gal. 5:6). So Very Amen.