Read Luke 2:8-14

The shepherds weren’t prepared for glory. They were prepared for danger, for long hours, for the ordinary challenges of watching sheep—but not for the sudden brilliance of God’s presence lighting up the night. The arrival of glory into their darkness terrified them at first. And if we’re honest, God’s presence can sometimes feel overwhelming for us too—especially when it breaks into the parts of our life we’ve kept hidden or grown used to carrying alone.

The glory of God didn’t expose the shepherds to shame—it revealed His nearness. Their fear was not a sign something was wrong; it was a sign they were encountering something holy. Sometimes, when God speaks into your brokenness, our first reaction is fear. Fear of change. Fear of being seen. Fear of what God might ask. But God doesn’t reveal His glory to crush you—He reveals it to comfort you, guide you, and reshape your understanding of who He is.

What’s remarkable is where the glory showed up. Not in a temple. Not in a palace. Not in a place that felt prepared for holiness. It showed up in a field—dusty, quiet, ordinary. This is the good news of Advent: God’s glory is not limited to perfect environments. He brings His presence into everyday spaces, even the ones you think are unworthy or too messy. He steps into your fears, your failures, and your wounds, not with condemnation, but with light.

The shepherds were terrified because glory confronted their expectations. They didn’t expect God to meet them. They didn’t expect Him to break into the stillness of their night. In the same way, you may not expect God to show up in the broken areas of your life. You may assume He draws near only when you’re strong or stable. But the opposite is true. He brings His glory into your dark so you can see Him more clearly and receive His peace.

The glory of God in the field was a reminder that you don’t have to climb your way up to God. He comes down to you. Right where you are. In the middle of your night.

Reflection Questions:

• What part of the shepherds’ fear feels relatable to your experience with God?
• Where in your life have you seen God break in unexpectedly?
• What “dark field” might God be bringing His light into right now?
• How can you welcome His presence instead of fearing it?

Journaling Prompt:

Reflect on a moment when God’s presence felt surprising or overwhelming. Write about what He may have been revealing in that moment.