Epiphany

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:20 NRSV

Today is Epiphany, the day we celebrate the wise men and their gifts. But we leave the shepherds and the Christmas story changed people. We return to our “regular” lives but we do so in praise of the awesome works of God that we have heard and seen in our lives. We have been told the story of Christ’s birth and it has moved us. Just as the shepherds go back to life in the fields to guard the sheep they left behind, they do so as changed men. Not because of seeing the angels – although that was so impressive to be terrifying – but because what the angels told them truly happened. We are changed, too, not because of hearing the story or understanding more about the shepherds but because we see that God has entered into our lives just where we are and we can not keep this life-altering event to ourselves.

God, we have not only heard but have seen your great work in the world. We can no longer keep silent. We leave the Christmas season behind changed people who go forth to share your part in our own Christmas story. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 12

“When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:18-19

The lowly shepherds have been in the direct presence of God, have received a message from an angel and had their fears relieved. In response, they have chosen to see for themselves the revelation given to them and have found that what they were told by God’s messenger is true. They are now moved to share their story of how the birth was announced to them. It is interesting that no one laughs at their story. No one questions them or asks to go see the spot where the angels appeared. No one wants a drawing or asks for their proof of their expertise in angelic matters. Instead, everyone is simply amazed. And Mary holds these things in her heart.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the simple joy of Christmas filled us with such amazement? Wouldn’t it be good to just accept the birth of Christ in our hearts without knit-picking, questioning, examining and looking for faults? Wouldn’t it be great if we told our own faith story with all the excitement and conviction of these simple shepherds?

It certainly would.

God, you have revealed, been present, shaken us from sleep and entered our lives. But we have yet to really go and confirm this for ourselves or share it with too many people. We spend too much time just rationalizing why we should avoid doing these things. Forgive us, God, forgive us. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 11

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. Luke 2:15-16 NRSV

The shepherds, keepers, guardians and dependents of the flock do the craziest thing here in the midst of the Christmas story. They leave the sheep to go and see what the angels have told them. To a rational person, this would make the shepherds into fools. The sheep are how they live and the sheep are all they have. The sheep are vitally important: right? Or maybe not. What happened to them was so life-changing that the shepherds are able to leave behind what seems important to go and see what God has revealed to them.

How many of us would be able to leave our jobs, or more importantly our job security, in order to confirm God’s revelation to us? Certainly many ministers such as myself began by following God’s call and leaving what seemed secure behind. But how many of us pastors today are truly following God’s call or are we just content following the ministerial career ladder? If God revealed something to us, could we leave the relative security of our guaranteed appointments and pension plans to follow God’s revelation? But we aren’t the only ones with seemingly important careers, familial responsibilities and 401Ks. Would you be able to leave the sheep and go to see what the angels reported? Would you be able to follow God no matter what?

God, sometimes you ask us to leave what we consider to be safe and comfortable and important. Give us the courage to follow. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 10

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Luke 2:14 NRSV


Other ancient authorities read: …and on earth, peace, goodwill among people… and the paraphrase The Message puts it like this: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.” Obviously, the first part of the angel’s chorus is praise to God. The second part may be a bit more convoluted. Perhaps peace is only for those people that God likes, or maybe peace and goodwill will be abundant for all, or that only those who please God will receive God’s peace. I personally prefer the abundance of peace and goodwill for everyone. That way, I get a gift without having to first get God’s favor.

But, although I know that God loves me without reservation, I do have to respond to that love in order to receive God’s peace. In other words, I must be able to surrender to God before I can receive the peace that passes all understanding. If I am still worried, I have not surrendered all and I am not at peace. If I try to control things and do it all my own way, I will be as far removed from peace as possible. If I know what God asks of me but I do not do that, then God’s peace will be elusive.

To have God’s favor, to please God, to follow as God commands, that is the road to peace and goodwill… for all people.

God, you ask me to surrender. You ask me to follow. You ask me to please you. I pray that I can do so and receive your peace that passes all understanding. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 8

“’This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:12 NRSV

The shepherds have just been given a birth announcement and now they are told how to find the child. Now they are to be looking for a Messiah – a savior of God’s people. You would think that they are to go to the nicest house in the neighborhood, maybe at the center of tow or in the newly-wed suite in the inn. But the angel tells them to find the poorest place in the whole village and follow their nose. For the shepherds, this seems to confirm that the angel’s news is to be believed. But what does it do for us? Why would God choose to be born in a smelly cattle shed? Why wasn’t Jesus born to parents who had a little more money? For that reason, why wasn’t Jesus born in a priestly home in Jerusalem? How can we know that this angel is speaking the truth to us?

For the same reason that this Messiah, this Lord and Savior is not like any pre-conceived notions of a savior. This Lord is not going to march on Jerusalem and take power away from Rome through fighting. This Lord is going to save his people by giving away his life to Rome. Blood will be shed but it will be Jesus’ own blood. This is the sign for us and for all the people. This is a different savior, one who is God with us, born not in a palace but in a barn.

God, you do things differently. You didn’t enter the world like everyone thought you should. You entered where you were least expected. Enter in us today – in the least likely places of our poor and messy lives. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 7

“…to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 NRSV

I think this statement was more reassuring to the shepherds that anything else the angel could have told them. God’s anointed is born today in the city where someone just like you came from! Again, we must remember that the angel didn’t say this baby was born in the town of Bethlehem but that this child was born in the city of David. This is where David’s roots, the kingdom roots are. This is not Jerusalem where David built the royal palace or even God’s own holy of holies. This is the little town of farmer and shepherds, the place where the simple folk live. God thinks so much of these shepherds, that God has chosen their hometown, their humble beginnings as the place to begin God’s Kingdom.

And God thinks so much of you that God wants to be born in your heart. Simple, direct, to the point. God wants to be where you are, where you live, where you work. Begin now, today, and invite God in completely in your heart. Don’t hold back, don’t make excuses, and don’t even make a list of resolutions. Just say yes and let God take hold this day.

God, I invite you in to my heart completely, without my usual reservations. I say yes and surrender completely this day. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 6

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people….” Luke 2:10 NRSV

This part of the story can be interpreted in this way: “Hey, don’t worry, I’m not hear to kill you or to condemn you for all time, I am hear to tell you some exciting stuff that is not just for you but for everyone!” The angel is God’s messenger – bringing the good news. Now good news in ancient times was usually about the outcome of a battle or what the gods had done. Here the good news is about what God has done – given God’s people and all people the Messiah, the Savior.

But what I find particularly interesting is that the angels don’t appear to everyone. They appear to the shepherds. But the news is for everyone. Right away it is evident that this is not something they are going to be able to keep to themselves. This isn’t a story that keeps them focused inward. This isn’t a personal message for self-improvement. This is a report to be shared with the whole community. Yes, it begins with the shepherds but it is meant to be shared with everyone.

God, we keep too much about You to ourselves. We don’t want to bother or insult anyone or be rejected. But the angel didn’t tell the shepherds that this birth was just for them but for all people. May we finally hear the angel’s message. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 5

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:9 NRSV

Here we have a group of shepherds, trained and experienced to kill wild animals, afraid of one angel. Somehow, I don’t think this is a small cherub with rosy cheeks and a golden harp. This is more like the vision that Isaiah had when he saw the Seraphs in the temple (Isaiah 6). Those seraphs were serpentine creatures, associated with fire and sprouting three pairs of wings! This gospel does not describe the angel but the terror it gives the shepherds clues us in to how disturbing this messenger’s appearance was. We tend to think of angels as rather tame, comforting and kind creatures. For us, they are guardians of a sort, protecting humans from harm, flitting about, watching over small children, teenage drivers and the faithful. They are awesome but beautiful to see.

But the Christmas story gives us a totally different version that we often miss. Just as God’s nature is truly awesome, and to be in God’s presence is to quake in fear, so God’s own messengers are just as terrifying. No sling shot or club that would bring down a growling mother bear would be in any way effective against these creatures of our Lord and King. In this birth story, we, like the shepherds, meet our fears head-on and are forever changed.

God, thank you for your life-changing gift. Shake us up Lord, even while you assure us of your love and mercy. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 4

…Keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 NRSV

Somehow this gives us an image of a couple of shepherds standing around a huddle of sheep while leaning on their shepherds’ crooks. However, the shepherds slept on the job! During the daytime they were searching for good grasslands and decent water supplies while watching for straying animals and dangerous terrain. So at night the precaution of herding the sheep into an enclosure with at least one open entrance was taken. This “pen” could have been a cave, natural rock formation or other natural materials constructed by shepherds long ago or just that evening. The shepherds would have lain down across the entrance to the enclosure, forming a living gateway, and discouraging predators. In addition, these light sleepers would have a handy weapon within reach. So, the shepherds weren’t “on guard” as much as resting vigilantly.

During Advent we are told to wait and watch. Most of us have probably spent the season being extremely busy. But now that Christmas is here, we are most likely exhausted and worn out. Forget being on guard, we need our sleep! How can we live vigilantly, prepared yet resting, guarding yet recovering? Spending time such as this in God’s presence is one way.

God, we have been way too busy and now we are worn out. We are grateful for this time set aside to spend with You. We pray that this will become a regular habit in our life. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 3

“Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’” I Samuel 16:10-12 NRSV

Okay, so here in the midst of the Christmas story, I have us skip back into the Old Testament to a story about Samuel in which David is introduced. We know who David will become – the greatest King of Israel and the man after God’s own heart. Yet, here is Samuel, looking to anoint the next king that God has chosen and where is this royal person? He is in the fields looking after the sheep! Yep, the most famous and best loved king of God’s own people enters the story out in the fields keeping watch over his father’s sheep. He wasn’t even called in to the big sacrifice and feast. He was being treated as a hired hand, definitely not only the youngest but the least of Jesse’s sons.

Not only does this place in our minds the connection between Jesus, David, and the shepherds, it also reminds us that often the ones who seem to be left out of the big event are the exact ones that God calls to do extraordinary things. We might be overlooking those about whom God is saying: “This is the one!”

God, give us new eyes to see. May we not overlook those persons that you call to be your people. Open our hearts to your will and way. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Christmas Day 2

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 NRSV

Even if we know nothing about shepherds, this one verse speaks volumes about their influence and stance in society. Living in the fields means that they are pretty much homeless, or should be considered nomads without a permanent type of shelter. They are manual laborers with terrible hours: their blue-collar job is 24/7. And it is a dangerous occupation of protecting sheep from wild animals and other dangers. Thinking about our own economic system in the states, this sounds like the kind of job an illegal alien might take. Who else would want it?

A bigger question, however, is why do these powerless down-and-outers show up during God’s own entrance into the world? They aren’t important, they don’t have any influence, they aren’t going to be big monetary contributors, they aren’t particularly religious and the probably don’t even own any Sunday-type clothes. Yet, God invites them to the biggest birthday event ever. Perhaps this means that God really does care about the poor, the least and the lost. Do we do the same?

God, forgive us for caring more for those who have power, influence, money and prestige. Help us to share your love for those who have the least. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims

Merry Christmas!

In that region there were shepherds….glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen…. Luke 2:8a, 20a. NRSV


In the entire pageantry of the Christmas story, the shepherds often fade into the background of the hay and the barn. We get caught up by the glory of the angels, the gifts of the wise men, the obedience of Mary, the shining star and even the music of the drummer boy. The shepherds are barefoot, don’t give any presents and are most likely pretty smelly.

Yet, in the book of Luke, the angels appear to these poor men and not only eradicate their fear but get them to take action. Even in Matthew’s gospel, the wise men not only visit Jesus long after his birthday but they slink away back to the east without reporting on what has happened. It is the shepherds who praise and rejoice. The shepherds don’t hold back, there are no secrets with them and they are not afraid to tell others about their experience.

Their experience of Christmas is so overwhelmingly powerful and life changing that they are moved to share.

God, we pray that this experience of Christmas will be so such a powerful life-changing event for us that we will have no choice but to share fearlessly what You have done in the world. Amen.

Copyright 2008 Amelia G. Sims