A Light for Rough Men

In life, we know rough men. Guys who can’t hold a conversation without cursing. People who work hard, would risk their life for another, but are only in a chapel for a funeral service. Men who often drown out thoughts of eternity with some substance or other. When pressed, they might acknowledge a vague hope of heaven because they were born in a Christian country, or had a grandma who prayed for them.

Luke’s account tells us little about the specific shepherds who were invited to witness Jesus’s birth. But we know that all shepherds were low status, despised by other Jews. Their profession kept them from keeping the ceremonial laws. They had a reputation for playing loose with other people’s property. They were not even allowed to testify in courts.

These men may have had a vague notion of the hope of the Messiah, but they weren’t the kind of men who expected to be around for the King’s triumphal arrival.

After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.”

Luke 2:15 (CEV)

But they were the first to be invited. While working in the fields, telling jokes, cursing rocks, counting stars and sheep, and longing for morning, their world was suddenly flooded in heavenly light. The sky was filled with angels, glorious singing, beauty in extravagant abundance.

God burst into their life. He invited them to the party.

Today we love the carefully crafted decorum of Christmas in our homes and churches. But apart from the angels, Christ’s arrival happened without fanfare, out of the way, in a dark and probably smelly place, and witnessed by rough men.

And so we can loudly proclaim and celebrate this year: Christmas means there is a place at the table for all—the rough man, the self-hating girl, the self-righteous judge, the impatient parent, the obnoxious brother. The invitation must be accepted, but it is extended.

Today, look and see who is around you and your family. Take the opportunity to find any who are still out in the darkness and bring God’s light and invitation to them.

PRAY

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming for the rough men, for the unworthy like me. Thank you for a front seat at the celebration. Help us to extend your invitation and share your light this week. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Questions: Who do we know who needs Jesus? How can we pray for the rough men we know this week?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Look up the following passages for today:

Luke 2:11

Romans 3:22–23