Daily Devotional for December 27

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December 27                                                     Luke 2:15-20

One of Ronald Reagan's favorite Russian proverbs was, "Trust,
but verify." That was a favorite of these shepherds, too!
Immediately after hearing the angels, they set out for
Bethlehem to see for themselves and found Jesus lying in a
manger just as the angels had said.

Then they did two other things: "They made known the say-
ing which had been told them concerning this child." They
testified to what they knew about Jesus. They witnessed to
others about what God's angels had told them. Then they
worshiped God. As they returned to their fields, they were
"glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen."

When God confronts us with the truth, we can follow the
example of the shepherds. We also can verify through prayer,
reflection, and spiritual discernment that it is truly God
speaking in our hearts, not the selfish needs of our own egos.
Having discerned God's will as best we can, we can then testify
to others what God has revealed to us. And throughout this
whole process we can continue worshiping, praising, and glori-
fying God.

Finally, just as the shepherds returned to their fields and sheep,
we can return to our lives, back to our homes and jobs, back
to what we were doing before. But we go back with a differ-
ence, for when we have been touched by the wonder of God's
love for us, we are changed, exalted, fulfilled, satisfied. We
go back, but we will never be the same again! That is the good
news of the Christmas story that is still offered to us today.

    Great Revealer of Truth, guide me as I take time
  to discern your holy will for my life today, that I may
          return to my daily routine rejoicing. Amen.

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From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.