Persevering Imperfectly through Advent, A Shepherd's Meal, & the Under-Utilized Ministry of Angels
A reflection on the gospel power of imperfection, sacred family traditions & harnessing the very real presence of God's angels in our homes
Greetings Glory Carriers!
First, I apologize that my un-edited newsletter for next week (on the topic of grief) accidentally got scheduled for yesterday and went out before it was ready. Oops! I have since un-published it and will send the edited version out next week. Stay tuned for that!
Persevering Imperfectly Through Advent
Well, another week has gone by, which. means we are another week closer to Christmas. We have been able (amidst tired and/or wild children) to keep our commitment of doing our weekly Advent candle lighting, which in the moment (full disclosure!) can feel hectic and chaotic with a toddler running around and constant interruptions from the inconsistent attention spans of the others, but I always come away with my heart ‘strangely warmed’ and full and GLAD we did it. Glad we persevered in the imperfection and mess of it all.
When you think about it, the words ‘imperfect’ and ‘mess’ describe the humble birth of Christ in the manger - with all the hay and the darkness and the smells of the animals. I often think of that as my family travels through these supposedly ‘sacred’ traditions so imperfectly and messily. It brings me comfort to know that in the midst of our fumbling and faltering ways, Jesus, through the very way he came into the world, isn’t calling us to a standard of perfection. He calls us to set our hearts however imperfectly on him, and in that humility (the posture that says I cannot do life on my own), he somehow, in the mystery of it all, turns our ordinary moments into holy ones. As we persevere through our very human and humble attempts to focus our hearts on him, it is there he is God with us, our Immanuel. Right there, right here, in the thick of the humanity of it all.
Perhaps my kids will have fond memories of our attempts (with many fails in between!) as a family to come around the table and acknowledge the wait and anticipation that Advent is, as our souls long and yearn for our True Home, found in God through his son, Jesus.
I pray this may encourage you, in whatever stage your family is in, in your humble and very human attempts to create and establish rhythms and traditions in your home. Ones that move and shape, sharpen and deepen the souls that have been entrusted to you. So little really can do so much. One day at a time.
Which brings me to another special tradition we began during Covid which we have grown to love…
The Set Apart Sacredness of the Shepherd’s Meal
I was first inspired to begin this tradition after reading and hearing Sally Clarkson speak about it on her podcast and write about it on her blog. While her family did it on Christmas Eve, this is a challenge for our family since my husband is a pastor and occupied with Christmas Eve services, so we have chosen an evening leading up to Christmas to engage in this tradition that draws us in more deeply into the Shepherd’s tale of tending to the sheep when the angels showed up unexpectedly and unannounced to announce our Savior’s birth.
In short, the evening entails inviting the kids (and parents if they’d like!) to dress up as shepherds, angels or sheep, enjoying a reading of the Shepherds in the fields (and sometimes re-enactment from the kids!) from the Bible, while sitting and enjoying a simple meal ‘under the stars’ on the living room floor.
This year, we enjoyed our Shepherd’s Meal with dear family friends and it was a very special evening together placing ourselves in the story and imagining what it must have been like to receive the '“…good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10) that dark night all those years ago.
The reason why I like this tradition is because it is focused on the biblical narrative. Sure, we enjoy other Christmas parties and activities with Santa Claus, reindeer, cookies and jingle bells. But this evening is about immersing ourselves into the biblical story of the ordinary people who encountered Jesus on that first Christmas night. Though our kids ranged in ages this year from 2-8, it was a special evening of bringing Scripture - and the stories we are so familiar with - come alive in a new way.
Struck by Angels While Reading About Shepherds
After the children’s story, we did a reading of the actual account of the shepherds in Luke 2, where fresh details stood out to us, in particular the angels for me:
“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...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.”
(Luke 2:8-14)
There is much to highlight in this popular passage, but what struck me this year is the significance of the angel in the story. I wondered, What are we to make of these Heavenly beings? Couldn't God just deliver the message of good news Himself? Why did he often use angels as His messengers? Angels may have existed then, but do they still exist today?
Maybe it is not something you've ever thought about or even care about. If that is that case, you may want to leave this post now. I won't be offended.;) But if, like me, you have even an inkling of intrigue around this topic, read on.
In the past few years, I have had a growing fascination with angels. I am not sure where it came from really. I suppose I have noticed in the popular culture of entertainment an increase in "spiritual things" in movies and shows. Mostly some of the darker elements, such as portrayals of ghosts, demons, devils, zombies, and the like. And I have found myself wondering, where is the portrayal of the other side? If we are open to the spiritual realm, let us at least be fair in portraying both sides!
Angels are everywhere in the Scriptures playing important roles as messengers, protectors, worshippers, and comforters. They are often sent by God for a purpose to complete a mission of bringing Heavenly goodness to our earthly darkness. They carry with them such glory and beauty that they often incite fear in the humans they encounter. The writer of Hebrews says angels are “ministering spirits” sent specifically to serve believers (1:14). Wow.
A Case for Angels Still Being Among Us
I am not an expert on angels by any means. And from a theological perspective, there is probably much more to consider here. But my personal view that has formed as somewhat of a growing conviction in my heart and mind over the years, is that if angels surrounded both the foretelling (Old Testament) and the birth of Jesus (New Testament), and we are told they will be present at Jesus' return, why wouldn't they remain in this time in between? It is a simple argument, but I think it is a reasonably strong one. I have come to believe they are absolutely 'still around' and that there may even be specific ways to increase their presence among us. Or at least acknowledge it.
But how? Oh yes, this is always my question as a ‘practical theologian’ at heart. :) Deep truth, yes! But how do we live it out?
First, we can anchor our hope and faith around verses like,
"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." (Psalm 34:7)
"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." (Psalm 91:11)
To me, these verses imply that there are angels assigned to (and encamped around) each one of us who believe in and fear God. Therefore, we can develop the habit of regularly acknowledging their presence in our lives - even when we can't see them. For example, here are some things I have begun to do regularly in my own heart and home:
I thank God for assigning specific angels to me to guard me in all my ways. I pray this with my children each night and pray Psalm 91:11-12 over them as they are falling asleep. It brings such peace and comfort to know they are guarded and watched over in this way. God, and his angels, neither slumber nor sleep.
I acknowledge the angels themselves throughout my day (in addition to, not as a replacement of God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit): Thank you angels, who have been assigned to me, for being here now. Thank you for forming a hedge of protection around me and my household and encamping around us now, etc...
I even go as far as to imagine the angels surrounding me, my home, my church, and my loved ones on a daily basis. I do this before ministry prayer times, on airplanes, in hospitals, or any moments in which I may feel anxious or worried. I imagine angels surrounding the room, person or situation and it often brings an immediate sense of peace and calm. That is what they are sent to do! I am often puzzled as to why Christians do not make more use of them.
I also ask God to be given the grace to actually let me sense and see - with my physical eyes - the angels around me. I have had one dream-like instance where I believe I saw an angelic being outside my window, but that is all so far. I continue to ask! Because...why not?
So there. Thank. Acknowledge. Imagine. Ask. Those are some very simple steps you can take to begin to increase your awareness of God's angelic army in your life. The ministry of angels (see Hebrews 1:14) is a powerful one and I believe it is is very under utilized in the Church today.
As part of Advent this month, as we gaze upon the babe Jesus in the manger, perhaps we can remember - and give a special shout out to - God's angels that surrounded him then and continue to surround us now in our own lives, families and dwellings. We are Homes of Glory. In part, because His angels bring and shine His glory all around us. They are the epitome of glory carriers.
If you are like me and keen to learn more about these fascinating beings, you can check out Angels are for Real by Judith MacNutt, a Biblically grounded, accessible and engaging little book on angels. You can also have some fun doing some personal study through some the verses that reference angels in Scripture. Here is a list to get you started:
Matthew 16:27 (also see Matthew 18:10, 22:30, 24:31)
Luke 15:10 (also see Luke 20:35-37)
Hebrews 1:14 (also see Hebrews 2:6-9, 12:22, 13:2)
1Peter 1:12 (also see 3:21-22)
Revelation 4:8 (also see 5:11-12, 14:6)
Enjoy and I pray you will be blessed as you begin to give regular shout outs to God's angels in your life. They are there!
Until next week, stay steadfast in your sacred rhythms, however imperfectly, knowing that in your humble attempts, the holy One is there smiling and delighting in it all. In you. Keep going. We are in this together!
For His Glory from My Heart and Home to Yours,
Ali
PS Here is my favorite recipe of the butternut squash soup I serve at our Shepherd’s meal, along with a selection of breads and cheeses. Keeping it simple is key!
Fun Family Photo this Week
