“Don’t be afraid” ( Luke 2:10 ). The angel of the Lord spoke those words to the marginalized and forgotten of society in occupied territory. Their lives were full of hardship and threats, but unexpected supernatural visitors were something else. When an ordinary winter’s night safeguarding obstinate animals is rent by divine light and a loud voice, there’s good reason to tremble. Hard after the assurance follows news that drives out fear: “good news of great joy that will be for all people” ( Luke 2:10 ). That this announcement was given directly to the shepherds may have been as exciting as the news itself. When has a herald ever come specifically and exclusively to them? Maybe this baby born in Bethlehem will actually be the Prince of Peace that was promised ( Isaiah 9:6 ). Maybe this really is the coming of the Sovereign Lord who will care for people as tenderly as these men care for the sheep in their flock ( Isaiah 40:11 ). Could it be God’s favour rests on them ( Lu...
a smattering of brain droppings from a self-styled writer