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. Luke 2:8-11
“It is to these, not to others, that the holy angels whisper consolation. It is to the shepherds, watching and keeping the night watches over their flocks, that the joy of the new light is announced. To them it is revealed that the Savior is born. Yes, to the poor, to the hard-working, not to the rich, who have their consolation here below. It is to the poor that the light of a glorious day has shone forth amid their vigils, and the night shall be light as the day – yes, it is converted into day. “This day,” says the angel, not this night, “is born to you a Savior.” The night is truly past. The day is at hand – a day of days, the day of salvation of our God, Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is God blessed above all for evermore. Amen”
Bernard of Clairvaux in Sermons of Saint Bernard on Advent & Christmas (London: Aeterna, 2014).
Hearing Handel’s Messiah in the Sydney Opera House ranked, for Jenni and me, among the top worship experiences of our lives. We were not in a church, but out in the world. That reminded me that the consolation made known to all humanity is not for the rich and privileged or the righteous and the pious, but rather for the poor and needy. In that light it reflects God’s generosity because it’s for everyone, except those who miss it altogether because (sadly!) think think have everything they need here in this life.
The experience reminded me of God’s awesomeness and my smallness, His richness and my poverty. Then in reading Luke 2 afresh, I am struck by the generous nature of this consolation. It calms our fears, brings great joy, and turns night to day. I pray this Advent that like never before you find consolation in the Christ of Christmas. In other words that you realize in Him is everything you have ever and will ever need. Ironically, none of us can take hold of this consolation until we let go of everything else. That’s why the rich often miss it. I pray you don’t!