Reading
Luke 2:15
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
Devotion
Today's painting is "The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst. Created in 1622 the painting is part of the collection of the Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald, Western Pomerania.
I love the sense of wonder and delight evoked by this painting. Light flows up from the child, illuminating Mary's face fully and everyone else's partially. The shepherds are rural, blue-collar, and filled with astonishment. They know that something important has happened, but they only very partially understand the Light of the Incarnation. Mary, however, who ponders all these things in her heart (Luke 2:19) understands.
I like how the painting shows us this difference between astonishment and understanding. How often do we, dear reader, behold something of the grandeur of God--some aspect of nature, some wondrous beautiful moment, some grace-filled event that moves us deeply--and stop there. Perhaps we say to ourselves, "Oh that was nice," before returning to living life the way we were before we were astonished. The next step in illumination is to ponder, to think about, and to strive to understand how God is acting, or what the Spirit's lure is in giving us the opportunity to live out of a higher consciousness or our best self. May you experience Joy and Wonder this Christmas, dear reader. And, more than that, may you seek understanding.
Prayer
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)