Good Word Friday Theme: Abide

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8)

For the past couple of months, everyone in my home recited Luke 2:8 every day. Why, you ask?

Because these were my son’s lines in our branch’s Christmas program. He memorized the verse, and, by default, so did everyone else in our family. It’s a straightforward verse that doesn’t seem to do more than set the scene for the angels’ visit to the shepherds. It tells us who, what, where, and when. Not much to it.

But, when I looked at the word “abide,” it got me thinking. These shepherds were basically living out in the wilderness, doing their job day and night. Abiding.

It must’ve been isolating to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere, always being the last to find out about anything new happening in the city. (Anyone else feel isolated or cut off lately?)

It must’ve been fairly dull. They probably thought nothing interesting would ever happen to them. (Anyone else feel like this day is just another in a long string of dittos?)

Nevertheless, the shepherds were abiding — staying, dwelling, continuing. For them, this was simply life. And, right smack in the middle of everyday life, God found them, met them, revealed something great to them, completely jolted them with a surge of surprise and awe.

Has that ever happened to you? You’re just going about your day — abiding — and God finds you. Maybe it’s with a song. Maybe it’s with a message. Maybe it’s with a surprise.

Those shepherds got a front-row seat to a history-making angelic choir performance.

Those shepherds were the FIRST to hear the good news of Christ’s birth!

We pray that Jesus Christ visits you as you abide in Him during this season of the year.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.