“Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people” (Luke 2:8-10).

     There is a gorgeous piece of music for a women’s choir that evokes the moment when the heavens opened, and the glory of the Lord filled the night sky. One might imagine the scene in the desert, where shepherds did the same thing every night. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, the veil no longer hides the heavenly realm from our mortal view. The scene called for strength and boldness to indicate that God made the holy presence known in a very mighty way.

     But the composer took a different path and captured a moment that observed the coming of God. The phrases remained at a beautiful pianissimo, inviting the hearer to imagine a serene, holy moment and capturing the solemnity of the event. In this scenario, strength arrived not with loud drumming but with soft, intense phrases that captured the hearts of the listeners. Each phrase soared to the heavens and back again, connecting the theater of the heavenly realm with those who dwell on earth.

     Theologically, the music seems to turn the perception of the scene with the shepherds on its ear. While many imagine the arrival of the Messiah as bold and loud, the composer reminds us that God had other plans. I think of the faces of those admiring the view of the “unique” night sky. The soul responded not with loud praises, but with a holy reverence that transcended anything they experienced before the sacred night in the field.

     Think about the times when Christ’s presence became so real that the only expression we could muster was a sense of awe. Reflect on how God’s glory has personally touched your life, deepening your faith. Hold that moment in your heart as you recall the beginning of a journey that God ordains for us. In our preparation for Christmas, we remember when God tore open the veil between heaven and earth. The most beautiful part of it all was that, after we experienced the vision in our own way, we encountered the living God.

     Let this Advent season be a time to remember the beginning of your faith journey. Spend intentional moments in prayer, seeking God’s presence, and ask the Holy Spirit to renew your soul. Give thanks, for the Lord is good, and prepare your heart to encounter His glory anew in the coming Christmas season.