Your Work & The Christmas Story Of LukeSample

# Christmas and Work: When God Interrupts Our Work, Yet Again Today’s study focuses on the shepherds in Luke 2. In Luke 1, the work of Zechariah was interrupted by an angel with shockingly good news. In Luke 2, angels interrupt the work of shepherds as they watch over their flocks. The Theology of Work Bible Commentary on this passage describes well what happened and what it might mean for us: “Like Zechariah the priest, the shepherds have their workday interrupted by God in a surprising way. Luke describes a reality in which an encounter with the Lord is not reserved for Sundays, retreats, or mission trips. Instead, each moment appears as a moment of potential in which God can reveal himself. The daily grind may serve to dull our spiritual senses, like the people of Lot’s generation whose routines of ‘eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building’ blinded them to the coming judgment on their city (Luke 17:28-30). But God is able to break into the midst of everyday life with his goodness and glory.” Indeed, there are times when, in the midst of our daily work, God surprises us. We would do well to be attentive and open to such times. I think of times when, in the context of what seems like everyday work, I have sensed that God is up to something and wants me to join in. For example, a few weeks ago I was meeting with someone to do some business. As I look at him, the Spirit of God nudged me to ask, “How are you doing, personally?” He paused, sighed, and then shared a deep, personal struggle he was facing. I had the opportunity to listen and pray for him. You can honor God today as you do your work with excellence, seeking to do everything for God’s purposes and glory. But, as you work, let your spirit be attentive to the Spirit of God. The Lord might want to interrupt your work in a special way, to bless you and to use you to bless others. For Further Exploration For further exploration, click to read the Theology of Work Bible Commentary on Luke 1-5, " [ The Kingdom of God Shows Up at Work ](https://www.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/luke/the-kingdom-of-god-shows-up-at-work-luke) ."