Angel, Shepherds, Wisemen Along the Way

I continue to ponder the Christmas story from Mary's perspective.  When the angel appears to tell her of God's plans, she readily agrees to be God's servant, and bear the Messiah.  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled" is her quick response.

Still.... it had to be challenging from that point forward.  How do you explain the pregnancy to parents?  The community?  The man you are engaged to?  And then, once he (Joseph) understands (through an angel's visitation as well), there's still the long journey to Bethlehem.  And then there is no welcome in any of the guest rooms of Bethlehem... only an offer to sleep in the hay with the animals.  Months later, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are on the run to Egypt to escape a leader who wants Jesus dead.

There had to be moments when Mary wondered if she was a bit crazy.  And there had to be moments when she prayed:  "Lord?  Can you please explain to me how THIS is going to work?"

But then... there are moments along the journey when God shows up and let her know that she is, in fact, on the right journey.  And He, the God of the Universe, is leading and guiding and protecting this whole crazy adventure.  An angel comes to Joseph.  Shepherd's arrive at the manger with news of angels lighting up the night sky.  Wisemen show up (probably months later) with the story of the star, and with gifts that will fund a flight to Egypt.  God shows up.  God affirms.  God provides.

I've found in my own journey of faith this pattern as well.  When I start off on a faith journey, heading in a direction that God seems clear on, but that other people think is crazy... there are moments that I say:  "Lord?  Can you please explain to me how THIS is going to work?"  And then... God shows up in unexpected ways, affirming me that I'm on the right road.  It's often through "angels, shepherds & wisemen"... people who enter my life for a brief time and let me know I'm not crazy!

Today I got to be a "shepherd" to someone else.  I had a meeting scheduled with a woman who I barely knew to discuss a ministry I'm connected to.  But in the course of conversation, I learned that just this past week, she and her husband launched into a faith journey of home-church planting, similar to the journey that we began a few years ago.

A strange coincidence?  No.  For a moment in that coffee shop, angels were lighting up our sky, letting us know we are both on the right road.  The right journey.


"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.'”


Here's praying that at this Christmas time, as you step out in faith, the Lord will light up your night sky, and bring you shepherds and wisemen along the way...