Variety: Luke 2v8–16

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 Saviour 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.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Reflection

When I’m in the middle of doing something, I hate being interrupted. But I’m slowly learning to see that not all interruptions are a bad thing – and this passage is a case in point. 
 
The birth of Jesus was the greatest interruption of all time. God broke into this world, coming down to earth in human form to dwell among his people. And the shepherds were invited to go and see this miraculous intervention, to find the baby ‘wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’. But to do so, they had to accept that their everyday task of ‘keeping watch over their flocks’ would be interrupted. When the angels announced the wondrous message of Christ’s birth and praised God, the shepherds’ hearts were stirred and they ‘hurried off’ to meet Jesus. No doubt it was the best decision of their lives! 
 
In a similar way, God invites us to embrace his interruptions in our lives. Sometimes, like the shepherds, he clearly captures our attention. At other times, he gives us opportunities to see him working more subtly in the world, bringing hope and life to seemingly mundane situations. So, when you’re refolding clothes on the shop floor, cutting a client’s hair, or checking prescriptions in the hospital, will you be open to divine interruptions and communications? You’ll be surprised how God might inspire, encourage, and work through you if you do. 

 Prayer 

Lord God, please help me to see today’s interruptions as opportunities to bring hope and life in the middle of my everyday tasks. Amen.