Description
As the shepherds watched their flocks, and in innocence and peace tended the humble duties which Life imposes upon all of us, as they went quietly about their work, or sat in silent meditation, thinking of the wonders of the universe and reverently bowing their heads in prayerful communion with the everlasting Presence, the angels of light appeared unto them and glory shone around.
Suppose we were to think of this as a grouping of beautiful word pictures meant to represent those experiences which we all have as we search for the meaning of life and try to draw ever closer to the Divine Presence which fills all space. Surely the shepherds were setting up what Emerson called “a lowly listening.” They were listening to nature and to nature’s God. They were opening up their intuition, that divine thing which This Thing Called Life has implanted in all of us, which is the presence of God not only around, but also within.
It was during this thoughtful, reverent atmosphere of faith and childlike expectation that angels appeared unto them, clothed in light. Perhaps the angels of God’s presence are evermore around all of us, waiting with their message of hope and cheer to enter our minds, to still our fears, and to sing for us the glorious tidings of good cheer, telling us to fear not, “For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the Lord. And ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”
We often ask: “Why was Jesus born in a manger? Why wasn’t there room at the inn?” And again we are reminded that it is in the commonplace things of life that we receive our greatest inspiration. Too often we look for great events, not realizing that the greatest events that can transpire in any person’s life are those occasions when he is closest to God. It is then that angels appear. It is then that glory shines around. It is then that he walks and talks with the giver of all life.
“And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.” Don’t you think this means that when we are waiting on the Divine Presence and listening to the voice of intuition we come into a consciousness of peace and a realization that we all belong to one human family?