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REFLECTION
God's Lamb... Born Unto You
by Pastor Jeff Morlock
Poverty is lacking what others seem to have in abundance. So the poor of any given community often band together to form a community of their own, where resources, disappointments, and hopes can be shared without shame. Such were Bethlehem’s shepherds. Caring for the animals that would be sacrificed for the sins of the people rendered them perpetually unclean - unfit to enter the temple and thus to keep the ceremonial law. This status led most to consider shepherds irreligious and untrustworthy - poor in reputation. Yet a good shepherd had to be willing to lay down his life for the lambs under his care, many of which were destined to die on the altar of the Lord for the sins of the very people who looked down on him. Clearly, a shepherd’s life was one of sacrifice. It was to these frightened shepherds that an angel of the Lord appeared that night, splitting the dark sky with brilliant light. So wide is the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity that when that gap suddenly narrowed, it seemed likely that the angel’s message would be bad news. But to their surprise, this heavenly messenger announced good news of great joy for all people! A baby had been born who would save people from their sins, whether rich or poor, clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. This baby was called Christ, meaning "Deliverer."
Such fantastic news, accompanied by a multitude-of-the-heavenly-host backup choir seemed more suited to people of status and influence. But the angel said that this Savior is born “unto you”. Suddenly these poor shepherds who had spent most of their lives as outsiders looking in were on the outside no more. None of us are. Because this good news is for everyone!
Jesus is born unto you – unto all of us who are poor in spirit or mourning or meek or hungry and thirsty for righteousness. According to the angel's "sign," the shepherds would find him where the young lambs were kept. He would be the one not covered in wool but wrapped in swaddling clothes. He would grow up to become the once and for all sacrifice to make sinful humanity clean and new and whole. Today, not just in the city of David, but everywhere, those who put their trust in the Lamb of God are welcomed into his community, where resources and disappointments are shared without shame, and where where the hopes and fears of all the years are met.
PRAYER PRACTICE
Breath Prayer: Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, love, peace, hope, etc. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work.
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