I wonder about things not detailed in the Bible, understanding that these mental wanderings are not relevant to the perfect story of the Bible.

I wonder, as the shepherds were in those fields, were the sheep extraordinarily calm or where they on edge with the expectation of the supernatural, humankind redeeming, promise fulfilling, God to man and man to God ultimately reconciling?

I wonder did the sheep sense, as so many animals do, the coming storm that would create life calming chaos that the Savior of the World would bring with his birth?

I wonder were the shepherds perplexed? Why were the flocks by night so calm or so on edge, yet so well behaved. Likely not requiring the shepherds attention to be drawn away from the forthcoming celebration. The prophecy fulfilling event foretold 800 years before.

GLORIA, GLORIA, GLORIA, He is born. Can you fathom that the most humble of society’s blue collar workers were selected to hear the news straight from Heaven? God knew these simple men would not intellectualize what could not be reconciled. God knew these men would simply, humbly, obediently seek the gift that could not be earned, just accepted. God knew. God knew.

So tonight, I pray the peace that the assurance of eternity in Heaven because of a baby’s birth in the town of Bethlehem to those who accept, trust and surrender to the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords. I pray calm over your every storm. I pray impractical joy in the face of life’s storms. I pray the recognition and purpose that this quiet night 2025 years ago delivers today. I pray you feel the Father’s love given for you and for me in the form of his son as a beautiful, innocent baby. I pray you sense without question this night the Father’s love for you that came down and his name is Jesus.

“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.” Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)

Emmanuel. God with us.