SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:15-16
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
REFLECTION by The Rev. Mary Hudak
“Let us go and see what is made known to us.” Embarking on a journey of any kind is one of the most exciting things. I love road trips, plane trips, bus trips, train trips. I love going places I have never been and going back to places to re-experience things I found especially meaningful. Yet, by far, the most stimulating and demanding journey I have ever been on is my personal journey to Jesus. This means I go to spiritual places to find meaning in things that don’t make sense, looking for where Jesus is present. This means journeying to physical places of need, to find Jesus in others as well as find Jesus in myself. In many of our stories, Jesus is found in relationship with people of need. Jesus is also found in places of joy, laughter, and beauty. This I know, Jesus can always be found in joy, laughter and beauty. The shepherds found beauty in a profoundly humble feeding trough for animals, carefully wrapped in love and grace.
PRAYER
God, be with us on our journey into the unknown. Give us courage to seek the blessings You have for each one of us and Your guidance to see Your grace in the most unlikely places. Amen.
BLESSING
May God give to you and the ones you love, life and love, healing and peace, light and joy, now and always, Amen.
