Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Night so full Friday, December 24, 2004 Luke 2:8-14 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." As the tractor pulled its plow back and forth across the fields, I loved to listen to WPEO, Peoria Christian talk radio. Day after day I looked forward to Chuck Swindoll, James Dobson, Jack Hayford and the rest, who shared their insights over the airwaves and swelled my mind and heart with a sense of God's presence. Right there in the tractor cab. Farming is lonely work. Hours on end alone, no one to talk to, the drone of a tractor or the whistle of wind through the field swept away toward distant horizons. My radio voices made lonely days meaningful. Feeling God's presence, I gradually grew to cherish the alone-ness and even turn off the radio to listen to the silence. The shepherds sat close to their fire. They too appreciated the silence. Crackling flames warmed the crisp air around them and secured their safety from prowling nighttime predators. The sheep slept, and with supper over, the shepherds talked little. So shocking to see the skies open like this! Angels ... surely they didn't call them angels at first ... speaking to them, singing to them, lighting up all the sky. I can only imagine. Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? My cherished silence is broken, but out of initial terror rises up recognition that God is here now, that I am not alone at all, that something new and wonderful has filled this place, is capturing my mind and heart and voice. On this very special night, I will not be sleeping. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plain And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains, Gloria, in excelsis deo! Gloria, in excelsis deo! "; Add      Edit    Delete