Shepherd's watching over sheep at night would be looking out for wolves, tending the young, watching for strays, & monitoring the weather. In the midst of this ordinary night, their senses may have been heightened, but I don't think they ever expected to see a whole host of angels proclaiming a joyous announcement! How could they have ever prepared for that?

How often in our waiting are we prepared to experience joy? Joy once we get what we're waiting for, sure! But joy appearing in the midst of our waiting? What might that even mean? 

I think we can find this concept difficult because telling ourselves, or someone else, to look for joy when they aren't feeling particularly joyful dances a little too close to the line of brushing our feelings under the rug. As a therapist or spiritual director, I would never just tell someone to be joyful when they aren't in that place. Yet, even as we wade through the necessary muck of life, I am also always listening for the light that is seeping through the cracks, wondering where God's joyful presence is shining forth, & when it will be made known. It isn't always as obvious as a whole host of angels singing, but I am alert for it all the same.

So, what might this alertness look like as we listen to our own lives? The Shepherd's heard this life-changing news, but life still probably looked much the same when they went back to work the next night. Baby Jesus still had many years to go before he started his ministry, & even then it didn't quite look the way they may have expected. Yet, still the Angel boldly proclaimed, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” There wasn't a qualifier. The angel was offering joy in the midst of their waiting that night. 

And so, as you may be able to predict if you've been following along…my question for this week is what are you waiting for & what difference would joy make in your waiting?

May we remember that the joy of Jesus' birth is offered to all of us, whether we watch, work, or weep.