Luke 2:8-15 - 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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  

The most discouraging, and also the most encouraging response I have received from someone while inviting them to church is something along the lines of: “Church isn’t for me, man… Look at me, I’m not what you’d expect to see in church. There are some things in my life I need to fix up first before I step through the doors of a church.” It’s discouraging to hear because it proves how little the world understands about church, God, and the good news of Jesus. However, it’s encouraging because we know, people like that tend to meet the standards and criteria that God demands in order to choose, save, and use someone to accomplish his will.

That’s right, God didn’t send an angel to appear to a king, dictator, president, wealthy or influential persons. Instead, they were shepherds - In their fields, too unclean to meet the religious and ceremonial demands because of the nature of their jobs. Their hands and bodies were always defiled and dirty. Poor, low class, and unable to meet the expectations of the world around them. That’s who God chose. To some lowly shepherds an angel appeared, the glory of God shone around, and a message of good news and great joy for ALL people was brought.

To those feeling less than significant this holiday season. To the hurting and broken. To those that feel beyond the reach of God. To those overwhelmed by the weight of their own sin. To those that feel they need to clean themselves up before they come to Christ…Christ came for you. Right where you’re at, with all the weight and baggage you think you’re carrying, he has come to you! Not with a message of judgement or rejection, but one of hope, peace, and great joy!

The chances are, that these shepherds were keeping a flock of sheep that would be used for temple sacrifices. They kept the lambs that would be regularly offered for the sins of some people… But here, the angels invited these shepherds to greet a different lamb, to welcome into the world the true lamb, the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world. (Jn 1:36). When the angels left, these shepherds didn’t stop to wash, change their clothes, or put on the best version of themselves. They went to see the swaddled savior just as they were. So, wherever you find yourself today, come and see the savior just as you are. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to fix any glaring issues in your life, there is no cleaning or washing that will make you more presentable, because Jesus saves us just as we are.

Week 1: Holding Onto Hope

All of us, sooner or later, find ourselves walking through dark and difficult seasons. You might even be in one right now. Maybe you've felt the weight of grief, received news that knocked the wind out of you, watched a son or daughter drift far from the faith and want nothing to do with God or the church, or endured betrayal from someone you deeply trusted. Whatever the specifics, darkness tends to show up in familiar ways. It leaves us shaken and disoriented, unsure of which direction to turn. Fear settles in as we wonder what’s waiting beyond the next wave… will there be shelter, or another blow? We feel lonely, abandoned, and left to navigate the storm on our own…

So this Christmas season, we look back to live ahead. We look back to the people of God waiting in silence and seemingly stuck. We also look back to the promises that God had made and that God had kept. Promises for those stuck in the prison, wandering in the wilderness, or enduring an exile. Promises that mean even more for us today. The hope we have in Christ, a peace that is incomprehensible, a joy that is superior to our circumstances, a love that we can’t outrun, and a Gospel that stands as a light in the darkness. This week, we look to the hope we have. A hope which proves to be an anchor for our soul in the midst of the storms of this life:

Hebrews 6:13-20 “When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” u 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

There is no one higher, there is no one greater, there is no one like our God. There is only one who is worthy of more honor, who is far more precious, holds greater beauty, extravagance, and splendor than all of the other values of the world combined, a billion times over. So, what greater things are there to swear by or make a promise on? Absolutely nothing and nobody, which is why we see God swear by himself, reaching as high as possible, making a promise that only he can keep! But why, why does God need to reach so high in making a promise that only he can make and only he can keep? It’s to bring us hope, hope in an unshakeable, immoveable, unchanging God. An anchor for our souls, a refuge, a place to turn amid the faulty and fleeting hopes of this world.

The reason most people never move away from the grand ole State of Michigan is for the same reasons: Michigan summers. There is nothing quite like it. For me, it’s because of going “up-north” and settling into a cottage, beach, campground, or roadside park with spectacular views of the Great Lakes. Growing up on Lake Huron, piling onto the boat with the six in our family and the dog, voyaging for weeks at a time across the open water north to the quaint, quiet, and beautiful coastal towns. Even now we spend time along Lake Huron with the family. There is a nostalgia associated with it along with the rest and quality family times these trips currently provide. Every harbor and most public beaches along the way have one of those massive old rusty anchors with the chain that is welded to form a monument. I have memories of the marina we harbored our boat at in my childhood, climbing the anchor and the sensation of grabbing it with my hand or scraping my shins alongside it. Maybe your only memories or experiences with anchors is a nautical themed bathroom decorated with anchors and lighthouses or a night out at Red Lobster, but for me, the anchor is a landmark that triggers meaningful emotion and memory in my life.

 An anchor is an object with great power and significant value. An anchor can steady a ship in the eye of a storm, holding it firmly rooted to its position no matter what waves or tempest may come. Though for me the anchor brings about a certain sentiment, it is also seen as a symbol of hope, especially in the ancient world. “The Stoic philosopher Epictetus says: ‘A ship should never depend on one anchor, or a life on one hope.’ Pythagoras the mathematician said: ‘Wealth is a weak anchor; fame is still weaker. What then are the anchors which are strong? Wisdom, great-heartedness, courage—these are the anchors which no storm can shake.’ The writer to the Hebrews insists that Christians possess the greatest hope in the world.”  That’s right, we have the greatest hope of all, the hope that the promises of God have been kept, the hope we have in Jesus! The world will prove empty in a search for hope. There is no wealth, fame, wisdom, courage, or great-heartedness that will be a strong enough anchor for our soul when the storms of life crash against the boat. Only Jesus, only the promises of God, that he has made upon himself and he has kept in Christ. So, a you may feel empty and left without hope, or as you live among a world searching for hope this season… Give them a reason, and be reminded of the anchor we can firmly take hold of.

1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”.

The God Who Saves

Read: Exodus 3:8; Ephesians 2:1-10

"I have come down to deliver them." God didn't just sympathize with Israel's bondage, he acted to save them. This foreshadows the greatest rescue mission in history: God sending Jesus to deliver us from slavery to sin. Just as the Israelites couldn't free themselves from Egypt, we cannot save ourselves from sin's bondage. We need a deliverer. God is rich in mercy and great in love. Through Christ's death and resurrection, he breaks the chains that bind us and offers freedom. Perhaps you're still enslaved to guilt, shame, addiction, or fear. The God who saves is calling you to freedom today. Salvation isn't about your strength, it's about his grace. When you are not able, He is.

Reflection: Have you accepted God's deliverance through Christ? If so, have you remembered and reflected upon that lately?

The God Who Sees and Hears

Read: Exodus 3:7-9; Psalm 130:1-2

"I have surely seen the affliction of my people... I have heard their cry... I know their sufferings." What powerful words for hurting hearts! God doesn't merely observe our pain from a distance, he sees it fully, hears our desperate cries, and knows our suffering intimately. The Israelites didn't articulate eloquent prayers; they groaned and cried out. Sometimes that's all we can manage. Good news: God doesn't need polished prayers. He hears the groanings too deep for words. Whether you're facing a difficult diagnosis, financial crisis, broken relationship, or crushing disappointment, know that God's eyes are upon you and His ears are attentive to your cry. You are not alone in your affliction. The God of heaven sees you right where you are.

Reflection: What burden are you carrying that you need to cry out to God about today? Will you trust that He truly sees and hears?

The God Who Remembers

Read: Exodus 2:23-25; Psalm 34:15-18

In the depths of Egyptian slavery, God's people groaned under oppression for over 400 years. Yet Scripture tells us "God remembered His covenant." This doesn't mean God had forgotten, rather, he remained faithful to his promises even when his people felt abandoned. Perhaps you're in a season where God feels distant, where prayers seem unanswered, where circumstances overwhelm. Take heart: God has not forgotten you. His covenant love never wavers. The same God who remembered Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remembers you today. Your name is engraved on His hands. Your tears are not overlooked. When you feel forgotten, remember this truth: God's faithfulness doesn't depend on our feelings or faithfulness (or lack-thereof), it rests on his unchanging character!

Reflection: What situation in your life makes you feel forgotten? How does knowing God remembers, change your perspective?