Theme: Advent

Reading: Luke 2:8-18

Some Shepherds Hear About Jesus

⁸ That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. ¹⁰ The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. ¹¹ Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.”

¹³ Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying,

¹⁴ “Praise God in heaven,
    and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.”

¹⁵ The angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this great event the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box. ¹⁷ When they saw the baby, they told what the angels said about this child. ¹⁸ Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them.

 

Prayer for the week:

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

    I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in fields of green grass

    and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

 

He gives me new strength.

He guides me in the right paths,

    as he has promised.

 

Even if I go through the deepest darkness,

    I will not be afraid, Lord,

    for you are with me.

Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.

 

You prepare a banquet for me,

    where all my enemies can see me;

you welcome me as an honored guest

    and fill my cup to the brim.

 

I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;

    and your house will be my home as long as I live.

 

Song for the week: No Ordinary Baby