Luke 2:15-20

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

This scene is among the most beloved of not just the Christmas story but the whole Bible. It is the source of all of our Christmas crèches and nativity scenes. It is a story of wonder and beauty and tenderness in which we see God’s parental heart revealed.

But today, this part of the story also captures my dream for church. Not just on Christmas Eve – though that’s a good place to start – but throughout the year.

There are three movements in this brief scene.

1) The shepherds are filled with expectation so that once they’ve heard the report of the angels they go as quickly as they can to find Mary and Joseph.

2) They are not disappointed, as they find the angels spoke truly. Indeed, they are filled with wonder and delight by the holy family gathered around their newborn son.

3) Filled with joy, they go and tell others of what they have seen, who are themselves also filled with a sense of expectation and wonder as well.

So there it is: expectation, delight, report. This scene – and our lives in the Christian community – in a nutshell.

Actually, let’s add one more: expectation, delight, report…and then repeat, as others are caught up in this infectious joy.

What would it be like if church were like this? That we worked together to create a community of faith – worship on Sundays; education, service, and fellowship throughout the week – that made it easy to invite people to, expecting that as they did they would be filled with wonder and delight and share what they’ve found with others? Can we do this?

Expectation, delight, report…and then repeat. Yeah, I like that, on Christmas Eve and throughout the coming year. I think it’s worth a try.

Prayer: Dear God, fill us again with a holy awe and joyous delight at the gift of your son, that we might invite others to know the goodness of faith and life in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.