A few weeks back I went to a Tower of Power concert with my son. We both really like the band and have seen them many times. As you would expect they sang many of their hits, but I guess I’d forgotten how close we were to Christmas as they sprinkled funk and soul covers of classic holiday songs into their set.
In the middle of the concert, the band started a slow groove with a tune that I couldn’t quite place but recognized as a Christmas carol. As the groove swelled the band’s leader Emilio took center stage and said “Christmas is my favorite time of year…”.
Of course you would expect to hear “Christmas is my favorite time of year” at a Holiday themed concert – however I didn’t expect what came next…
Emilio went on to explain that it was his favorite time of year because two thousand years ago a baby was born to a humble family and that He was God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life to the world. That Jesus is the meaning of Christmas. He proceeded on for maybe another thirty seconds about what Jesus’ birth meant to him.
The band continued playing and as Emilio began to sing “O Holy Night” there were tears streaming down my face. My son looked over and punched me in the arm and said “what are you crying for?”.
I don’t know. It wasn’t any one thing. I bet I’ve heard and/ or sung “O Holy Night” a thousand times in my life. I’ll say this: it’s probably the last message I expected to hear during that performance from those guys. I ALWAYS have expectations going to a concert but I can say that I don’t often go expecting God to meet me.
I couldn’t help but to think of that Tower of Power experience when I was reading the account of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-18.
These men were going about their business on just another night, taking care of their sheep, when God met them and told them about Jesus. After meeting him, they couldn’t help but to share the news with others.
As we read this Scripture passage, let’s pray and ask God to meet us this week…maybe even when we least expect it!
“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.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Luke 2:8-18 NIV
