The flame flickered gently as my son leaned over, his candle igniting the wick of his uncle’s. One by one, the sanctuary filled with light, soft and steady, illuminating faces marked by wonder. It was the Christmas Candlelight Service, a tradition I’d attended countless times—but this time, something felt different. The pastor’s voice rang out, weaving a story both ancient and new, and the meaning of this sacred night truly came alive in my heart.
As he spoke of the shepherds, I was struck by their role in the Christmas story. God didn’t choose royalty or priests to receive the first announcement of Jesus’ birth. No, the angels appeared to humble shepherds on a quiet hillside, surrounded by the ordinary rhythms of life. God entrusted the extraordinary to the unassuming.
The pastor shared that these shepherds didn’t hoard the news for themselves. They ran to see the Savior and then hurried to share what they had witnessed. Their joy and urgency spilled out like the light of the candles in the sanctuary—spreading, growing, unstoppable.
This moment connected so deeply to Isaiah’s prophetic words. Generations before Jesus’ birth, God’s people had waited, holding tightly to promises like those in Isaiah 9:6-7. These verses paint the picture of a Savior who would not only carry the weight of the world on His shoulders but bring peace, justice, and light to every dark corner.
That night, as our candles glowed in the sanctuary, I thought about how Jesus, the true Light of the world, invites us into His story. He doesn’t call the mighty or the perfect—He calls the willing. Like the shepherds, we are invited to receive the light and pass it on, bringing the hope of Christ to others in the simplest of ways.
Cultivations
FOR THE HEART
When you reflect on the shepherds, how do you see yourself in their story? In what ways is God calling you to carry His light into your everyday life?
For the Spirit
Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace,
Thank You for coming to us in humility, choosing the ordinary to carry Your extraordinary light. Help me to trust You like the shepherds, to receive Your joy, and to share Your hope with others. May Your light shine through me, even in the simplest acts. Amen.
For the Journey
This week, find one simple way to bring the light of Christ to someone in your life. Maybe it’s through a kind word, a handwritten note, or an invitation to join you at a church service. Small acts of love can make a big impact.
If this reflection has stirred your heart, I invite you to take it deeper. This season of waiting and wonder is the perfect time to engage with God’s Word in a more personal way. Through Lectio Divina—a sacred practice of meditating on Scripture—you can create space to hear His voice and let His light fill your heart.
Discover how to bring this ancient rhythm into your modern life through the practice of Lectio Divina. It’s an invitation to slow down, breathe in the Word, and let it transform you from the inside out.
You can find links to watch the video, read the post, listen to the podcast, download the free guide, and join us for live Lectio Divina sessions here.
