Peace at Christmas Luke 2:10-14
Read Luke 2 to understand the context.
Read Luke 2:10-14, following these instructions:
- Close your eyes and imagine the scene.
- Pretend you are one of the shepherds, and try to place yourself there.
- Hear the words of the angel as though you are one of the shepherds, hearing them for the first time.
- Take one verse at a time, listening as though you don’t know what is coming, and don’t know what this is all about.
- Give yourself time to react before going on to the next verse.
Read verse 10: Introduction.
- What is the focus of the angel’s announcement?
- What do you think this might be about?
- Describe your feelings.
Read verse 11:
- What titles are given to Jesus by the angel?
- What do these names mean to you?
- What do they make you think of?
- What promises do they evoke?
- As you hear this as one of the shepherds, what would you expect to find if you went looking for this baby?
- Reflect on these images for a few minutes and write out your thoughts.
Read verse 12:
- What is the sign that the shepherds are to look for?
- How does this compare to the expectations you recorded after hearing vs. 10-11?
- What would you be thinking now?
- What would your reaction be?
Read verses 13-14:
- The hosts of heaven refer to the Lord’s army – an army of angels.
- What is the message of this army? What does it mean?
- As one of the shepherds, how would you hear this message for yourself?
- What are the implications beyond yourself?
Take a few minutes to reflect on this scene. The Savior, the long-awaited Messiah, the Lord — God himself, is born. And he will be in a manger. And an army of angels brings the message along with a promise of peace. Write down your thoughts, observations, insights and questions.
Reflect on the wonder of shepherds. Pray that God will give you a heart to see the incarnation as those who received this joyful news on the first Christmas.
Sojourners y Peregrinas 