Christmas Devotional - Shepherds and the Unexpected

Expect the unexpected.




As we continue looking at the first Christmas, we remember that Jesus has been born and God send out his own announcements, carried via angel.




I’m not sure what the shepherds were expecting that cold evening watching their sheep, but on that evening when Jesus was born, I can guarantee they never expected a choir of angels announcing the birth of the Messiah.




Luke 2:8-20 says “In that same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.




But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased.”




When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”








So much of the unexpected occurs in these verses. The shepherds weren’t expecting angel visitors. The people of Bethlehem weren’t expecting the shepherds to be in town at that time of night. Mary and Joseph weren’t expecting visitors. No one was expecting the most amazing birth announcement ever to be given to a group of lowly shepherds. One thing we can learn from this? With God, expect the unexpected.




God moves in a way and in a plan that makes sense to Him. His plans are so vast and broad and yet so detailed that we can trust that His plans are perfect even when we would have never planned for or wished for the results. Do we recognize that God wants to work in unexpected ways to show us the amazing plans that He has for us. What has happened to you that is unexpected? Do you fight against a change in the status quo? Or, do you roll with it, accepting that God may have something special He wants You to be a part of?




Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speaker

Living in the World – Living out the Word

Check out my website and daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pagewww.BooksByAmanda.com