Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
My Christmas present to loyal readers (and newcomers) is guest Bible study co-writer Father David G. Caron, OP, D. Min. “Fr. Dave” is a man of God, a brilliant theologian, and a dear friend. In the past, he has participated in several of our studies.
You would be wrong if you thought I needed Fr. Dave to sub for me during Christmastime. The truth is that the Lord intervened (as He often does) for the birthday message of His Son. Here is the story, so gather ‘round the yule log.
Since the beginning of December, I had been thinking about today’s pre-Christmas Bible study, but no topic had surfaced. Then, on December 11, I attended a monthly dinner meeting where Fr. Dave presented a more extended version of what you will read below. Immediately, I felt “called” that his message was destined to be my Christmas study with a divine purpose. However, that is discernable between you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I wish you all the most blessed Christmas. For nearly five years, your loyal readership has continued to be a weekly present.
Here is Fr. Dave’s “Advent & Christmas Reflection.” (I edited and adapted it but did not change the meaning.) The Scripture reference is Luke 2:1-14.
Who doesn’t love a good true story with deep meaning? Christmas is a time for stories.
The shepherds are my favorite group in the Christmas narrative. If I could have chosen to be one of the characters, it would have been a shepherd. That is why I played one during the Christmas pageants of my youth, wearing my father’s oversized bathrobe and a towel on my head. I loved the shepherds’ enthusiasm — their willingness to go and proclaim the Good News.
I asked, “What can the shepherds show me this Christmas season? What can they show us?” The gospel says: “So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger.”
Lesson One: Teaching us to be open to change.
I resist shifts in my plans and hate getting sidetracked. But God is sometimes found in life's derailments. The shepherds knew that God likes surprises to remind us that He is in charge. What a gift to follow God’s unexpected leads in life! One night, one moment in time, one powerful encounter with God will forever change our lives if we only follow, surrender, and amend our plans to His plan for us.
Lesson Two: Be open to curiosity; think “what if.”
The gospel reads: “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
The shepherds were curious; they wanted to see with their own eyes what the Lord told them. Curiosity can lead to profound spiritual experiences that could be missed unless pursued. Imagination and wonder are tools that open God’s world to us, starting with His Word.
Lesson Three: Pay attention! Look, follow, and obey God.
Luke’s gospel records: “This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
The angel told the shepherds what to look for, but they had to follow the signs. I often wish God would speak more clearly, showing me what to do, when, or how to act. Indeed, God provides signs, nudges, whispers, and even “God winks.” We need to be aware of how to find and follow them.
Lesson Four: God uses ordinary people.
God’s Word: “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.”
We all need to tell others the story of Jesus. We can use our non-judgmental words, actions, and thoughtful gestures to proclaim that Jesus, the Messiah, has come.
Lesson Five: God is present in our work.
St. Luke wrote: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
The shepherds teach us that God can and does come when you and I least expect and are most lost in life's murky, confused valleys. The shepherds knew God came to them in the darkness and continued to stay with them every moment. God is present in our work, even in the tiniest mundane particulars and on all our to-do lists. That invites us to experience Joy — His joy is found in the details of life.
Lesson Six: The importance of these shepherds to you.
God could have chosen anyone or any group to be the first to receive the news of Jesus’s birth — and He didn’t send His angel to any VIPs. Instead, He chose shepherds who were lowly in the eyes of the world but not in God’s eyes. Not only did God choose them to hear the Good News first, but the news was specifically tailored to them. The passage states: “..to YOU is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord…”
No matter your station in life, God meets you right where you are in your everyday activities. God has chosen you to hear His Word — if you are open to listening. You matter to God. We all matter to God. After all, God sent His Son as proof.
Lesson Seven: God wants us to praise and glorify Him.
After the shepherds saw the Holy Family, they returned to their fields, glorifying and praising God for all they saw and heard. What are you seeing and hearing this Christmas beyond secular celebrations?
You can start by pausing and marveling at the importance of these lowly shepherds and what they experienced that first Christmas Eve. Imagine the sights and sounds, which must have been glorious:
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Is He favoring you? Are you praising and glorifying Him enough? Acting upon your answer could be God’s Christmas present to you.
On behalf of Townhall readers, thank you, Fr. Dave Caron.
After his original presentation, Fr. Dave recited the words to a favorite hymn that never gets old. So, I leave you with these glorious words that mention the shepherds, praise to God and His Son:
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. In July, The National Shroud of Turin Exhibit hosted a four-day exhibit (with a VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Contact: <MyraAdams01@gmail.com>
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