11.30.22 | The Shepherds
The season of Advent in the liturgical church calendar is traditionally a season of fasting that culminates in the celebration of Jesus’ birth, known historically as the Nativity Fast.
Throughout this season of Advent, we will be focusing on preparing our hearts in the same way to celebrate the birth of King Jesus by engaging with the accounts of various people who were present at the Nativity.
For the first week of Advent, spend time reflecting on the story of the shepherds from Luke 2:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Consider what stood out to you or what the Lord put on your heart today regarding the shepherds. Perhaps it may be:
- a fresh revelation about who Jesus is – based on the angel’s revelation
- a renewed excitement about Jesus – based on the shepherds’ own excitement about Jesus’ birth
- a renewed testimony about Jesus that you can share with others – based on the words the shepherds spread
- new reasons to glorify and praise God
Spend time in prayer or journal about what you are hearing as you encounter God utilizing the four movements of FAST:
- Focus: Find a quiet place to settle your mind and open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
- Adoration: Spend time honoring and exalting God, tell him what you appreciate about him. Contemplate on who he is and what he has done. You might even be able to get a sense of his presence with you.
- Speak: Commune with God, taking moments to both speak to him about what’s on your heart and to pause and listen for his voice. Use journals to write down what you hear him say. Ask simple follow up questions like, “is there anything else you’d like me to know about [fill in the topic]” to really get to the heart of what Jesus wants to communicate to you and what you want to say to him or plead for while you fast.
- Transform: Commit to taking active steps to change or address what the Lord revealed during your time of fasting.