EN 
ES “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,and they were terrified.”
When I think about the Christmas story, and those first witnesses of Jesus birth, the word “terrified” does not normally come to mind. But maybe it should! Because when Jesus
came into the world, everything suddenly changed. The world’s ideas of religion and power were turned upside down. Now the meek would inherit the earth, and the rich
man would struggle to attain the kingdom of heaven, like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. So maybe Jesus came as a tiny little baby, so we can coo and tickle his little
toes, and have a merry Christmas! And once he’s in our hearts, he begins challenging us to follow him. Our real life’s task is to meet Jesus in Bethlehem, and walk with him all
the way to the cross. As I think about it, maybe those shepherds were quite right to be terrified after all! Jesus, Lord, Lead me, teach me, show me. Let me grow into a mature
adult Christian, ready to walk all the way from Bethlehem to the cross. On the way, take away anything that is not pleasing to you, and make me over in your image. Bring your peace, which passes all our understanding, into the world. Amen.
– Shared by Rose Anne Knight