Introduction
This morning I would be honored if you would take a journey with me. I invite you to assume whatever posture helps you feel the most comfortable and allows your imagination to take over. Take a moment and prepare yourself. Some of you may like to bow your heads and close your eyes, other may like to open your hands palm facing upwards towards the sky. Remember the goal is get into a posture that allows you to relax, listen, and imagine. Ready?
Let's Go
I am going to describe a place to you and invite you to create that place in your mind's eye. With as much detail as you can. Before we start out on our journey I want you to mentally acknowledge any distractions you have, schedules, physical or mental exhaustion, stress, whatever it may be. Take a deep breath in...hold it...let it out. Take in another deep breath...hold it...let it out. Clear your mind...empty it of all thoughts just for this moment.
Imagine you are standing on a hillside, in a grass field. There are a few rocks scattered throughout the landscape. In the distance you can see a few houses from the edge of your village. The sky is clear and it is relatively quiet except for the occasional bleat from the sheep you are tending. Personally, even though you have to constantly deal with people making fun of you because you are a shepherd, you know you are doing noble work and feel confident in your role. Your family is not wealthy and needs your earnings to survive and that is all the affirmation you need to know you are doing the right thing. You have always been the type of person that your family depends on. You have proved time and time again your reliability and dependability. And for that you are very proud.
The sun is beginning to set and you are getting ready to turn your attention to the night and making sure the sheep stay safe. You are gazing over the horizon, looking for predatory animals, hunting animals, poachers, and all other hazards that could harm or hurt these sheep. There are a few other shepherds with you. You are talking a bit with each other, but nothing other than idle conversation.
It is now night, black night. The only light you have is from the stars above. The temperature has dropped and you are bundled up trying your best to stay warm. You think about starting a fire but that means unbundling and you find yourself unwilling to do that just yet. Then you begin to notice this glow form behind you and as you turn around it culminates in a brilliantly bright light. You begin to hear a voice out of the light say, “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.” You are too awe stuck to breathe, must less move. As the voice fades you begin to hear a thunderous song break out, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” You almost fall backwards from the power and concussive sound of this experience. Your heart begins to beat again, slowly and with tremendous force. Your body is almost numb and you notice that the light, the voices, the music are all gone. You are left alone with only the darkness, the chill, and a whole host of questions.
As you and the rest of the shepherds try and make sense out of what just happened, little Avi, a young man and by far the newest guy on the job, leans towards your ear and whispers, “now what?”
You may open your eyes. That is the question that not only little Avi ponders, but I think many of us do as well. Christ was born, now what? People from generation to generation and from around the world ask themselves, now what?
Peace is Ours
That babe born so long ago is a gift from God. That babe, our Messiah, came so that we might be forgiven and restored. Our Messiah came so that we may find peace. Peace in knowing our salvation is assured and we have been reconciled with God our Creator. Peace in knowing that because of that baby we will be rescued from an eternity of emptiness. Peace in knowing that we are so loved, so adored, that God came to us. After all, Emmanuel means God with us.
My prayer for each of you is that this Advent, you find a peace that reassures you of your place in God's heart. A peace that makes you certain God is with you, believes in you, and has assured your salvation. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, Christ the King. And I encourage you to answer your “now what” by sharing this message of assurance and salvation with another who needs it this Advent.
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