Awestruck and Filled With Joy

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1

Sometimes the night sky over California is more spectacular than other times. I love it when it is so clear and bright that you can tell the sky is still blue even late at night. Get away from the city lights and the sky becomes even more awe inspiring, the multitude of stars, constellations, a planet or two and an occasional satellite do truly declare the glory of God and the work of His hands.

As we enter into the season of advent, preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, I was thinking back to that night and wondering about the shepherds that were out that night. Had they spent so many nights under the Middle Eastern sky that it ceased to cause a sense of awe? Had they noticed anything different about the sky that night? Was there anything to suggest that something truly spectacular was about to happen? 

Then it happened. “An angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (Luke 2:9). That they were terrified in all likelihood meant that they were both afraid and totally awestruck. Then the angel spoke saying “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. A savior is born, he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). As the fear melted away I can imagine how those lowly and despised shepherds must have felt as their souls were flooded with the joy of Lord. Then, as if what they had witnessed wasn’t enough “suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appear and together with the angel praised God” (Luke 2:13).

Wherever you are in the world, this advent season take some time to ponder the night sky to see the glory of the God who loved us so much that He came to be with us.

This advent season may you be awestruck and filled with joy.

A Prayer
Father, thank you for surrounding us with such incredible beauty, that we might know you even without words. Help us to be awestruck and filled with joy in the midst of the rush that comes with the season these days. Show us anew your glory as we celebrate the birth of your Son, our Lord and Savior. In the name of Jesus, Amen.