A miracle in the mundane
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12
Can you imagine an angel showing up in the middle of your workday? These shepherds were just working a normal evening shift out in the fields when an angel of the Lord came to bring them incredible news. It would be like an angel appearing in your break room to let you know that a miracle was taking place. It would be kind of strange! In fact, the Bible says that the angel told them to not be afraid (which means they were afraid and needed some correction on what was happening).
There, in front of lowly shepherds, was an announcement of a great miracle. Jesus has come and these average people were the first to hear that God had come to earth. I find this story interesting because the Angel didn’t come to the “important” people. Logic would say that the angel should bring up this miracle to the highest and most important people. Maybe there should have been a great decree proclaimed from every high place? That would have seemed to be more fitting.
But it’s not the famous people who hear of the savior’s birth, it’s the average shepherd faithfully working in the field. The miracle came in the mundane. The greatest announcement made to people who were caring for sheep. It was a mundane task but the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock. They were watching; they were noticing their surroundings. I do wonder sometimes if the angel came to the shepherds because they were a group of people who were actually watching their surroundings. They were aware of their surroundings.
Certainly, the message of Jesus came to the shepherds as a symbol of His life and ministry, but I think it’s a message as well that sometimes the miracle comes in the mundane. There is nothing fancy about watching sheep, but there is something meaningful about having a gaze that is fixed on your surroundings. Shepards keep sheep safe by watching. So they notice the angel because they are aware.
Are you aware today? Are you watching your surroundings (even in the mundane)? If we stay distracted, we will miss the miracle. The shepherds heard the announcement and went to find Jesus. Will we respond in the same way when the announcement of a miracle shows up in the mundane aspects of our lives?