Light in a manger

The seventh of the nine lessons is Luke 2:8-16.

It was dark.
The hillside was shrouded in black
As the shepherds slept with their flocks.
Smelly, noisy sheep.
A charge to keep.

Suddenly, without warning,
An angel of the Lord stood before them
Light surrounded them
Unreachable
Untouchable
Frightening. Terrifying.

Do not be afraid
An impossible command.
Followed by impossible news.

News of great joy
News for all people
News of the birth of a child
In Bethlehem
A child of David
A child who is Messiah, Lord

Who could believe it?
The angels told them
That they would find the child
Wrapped in cloths
Lying in a manger.

Before they could grasp what this meant
They were surrounded by angels
Praising God
Singing of the birth of the Lord
“Glory to God in heaven
Peace on earth
Peace among his children.”

After the angels left
And silence surrounded them in the darkness
They yearned for the light.
So they went in search of it.
They found the light in a stable
Shining forth under a star
Shining from a manger.

Untouchable angel light
Had led them to a baby
A savior
Light of the world
“Glory to God in heaven,
Peace on earth
Peace among his children.”
Amen.