Scripture: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2 15-19)Reflection:Imagine being those shepherds, out in the fields tending their sheep, minding their own business - when all of a sudden an angel appears to them from the heavens!! How would you have reacted? I don’t know about you, but I would have been totally awestruck and quite frightened of what I had just experienced.We get so used to hearing the Christmas story that we tend to forget that everything that happened was absolutely incredible!! The birth of the Christ child, the angels appearing, the Magi following the star are not things that happen on a daily basis!!And because we have heard the story so many times, we become anaesthetised to the true wonder and the pure gift of Jesus in our lives - perhaps we need to be more like Mary and ponder all these things in our hearts.Lyn Hayes
Scripture: ‘Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.’ (Matthew 1.18)Reflection:Mary, Jesus’ mother, plays a central part in the Christmas story, but what about her silent partner, Joseph? Imagine for a moment that your future partner is pregnant, the baby is not yours, and the child will save the world- all according to an angel who appears in a dream! This, the angel says, is God’s plan - go with it. And Joseph did - he stood by Mary, loved and supported her despite probable disgust and ridicule from those who knew him, quietly and patiently trusting God. Imagine what our lives would be like with that kind of trust. Imagine what the world would look like with that kind of love. God’s plans don’t always make sense, but they are always good and trustworthy - the first Christmas is our proof.Vicki Young
