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Divine Interruption 

Luke 2:15-16 says:  15When 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.”  16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

It’s that time of year again. Across the land, parents of young children are rummaging through cupboards, searching for clean tea towels to transform their children into nativity shepherds in time for the school assembly. I’m sure the real shepherds in the Bible would have trouble believing that they’ve become characters played by generations of children in dressing gowns, clutching toy sheep and singing songs about watching their flocks at night.

The shepherds were hard working people- they were caretakers, protectors, guardians of their flock. Their role was vital—staying alert, watching over the sheep, defending them from harm. Their work wasn’t glamorous, but it mattered. And yet, when they witnessed a divine interruption- when heaven issued an invitation, they didn’t hesitate.

They left their work.

The bible doesn’t spell out the logistics (Did they leave the sheep unattended? Divide the watch among themselves? Bring the flock along?) But one thing is clear: despite their responsibilities, they allowed a divine interruption to point them to the Saviour.

For Christian leaders, the shepherds’ response holds a particular challenge. We’re entrusted with a “flock”—a congregation, a ministry, an organisation, a team. And during the run-up to Christmas, that responsibility can feel even more consuming. There are services to plan, events to organise, or sermons to prepare, all while juggling the personal or family demands of the season. It’s easy to get so caught up in the work, that we miss the wonder.

But the shepherds remind us that sometimes we have to pause—even step away—to encounter Jesus. They remind us that the heart of Christmas isn’t found in the tasks we do for Him, but in the joy of drawing near to Him. We can tell ourselves that we are doing all this work for Him, that it’s our gift to Him, our way of showing Him how grateful we are. But here’s the thing- the shepherds brought no presents, but their presence.

Of course, the shepherds didn’t abandon their responsibilities permanently, but they knew when to pause. They understood that some moments are so sacred, so extraordinary, that they demand our attention. Leadership in this season can feel like balancing on a tightrope—keeping everything running smoothly while also tending to our own hearts. But the shepherds remind us that allowing a divine interruption, even briefly, to seek Jesus isn’t neglect—it’s essential.

It takes courage to pause, to trust that the flock will be okay without us for a moment. For the shepherds, it meant risking the safety of their sheep to pursue something greater. For us, it might mean letting go of perfection, delegating tasks, or saying no to one more event.

It means remembering that the flock we care for belongs to Him first. It means trusting that pausing to marvel at His glory will only make us better shepherds—more attuned to His heart, more filled with His peace, and better equipped to lead others to Him.

So, this Christmas, let’s not lose sight of the why behind the what. As we guide our flocks through the busyness of the season, let’s also be leaders who are prepared for a divine interruption- to stop, look up, and go seek the Saviour.

When the shepherds allowed the divine interruption to lead them to Jesus, it rippled beyond their own lives. They left rejoicing, spreading the good news of what they had seen. Their encounter with Him overflowed into their leadership, pointing others to the wonder of it all.

May we lead like that. With or without tea towels. 

Arianna Walker, 20/12/2024

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