Today is Dec. 27, the feast of St. John the Evangelist.
Today at Mass we read, “Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible” (Jn 1:1-2).
On the quiet hills outside Bethlehem, shepherds kept watch. Imagine yourself standing in the Shepherds’ Field under a starlit sky. The night is quiet, save for the soft bleating of sheep. The fields stretch before you, serene and unassuming, much like the shepherds who faithfully tend their flocks. Then, suddenly, the heavens burst open with light, and an angel proclaims: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Lk 2:10-11).
What must it have been like to hear this announcement? The shepherds, startled yet filled with wonder, leave everything behind to seek the child. They find Him in a manger — tiny, vulnerable, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Here, in this unlikely setting, the King of Kings is revealed.
Seeing the ‘extraordinary in the ordinary’
The shepherds could encounter Christ because they were open, humble and attentive. Their simplicity allowed them to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. They remind us that the glory of God is not found in worldly grandeur but in the tender, self-giving love of the Incarnation.
A few years ago in a Christmas homily, Pope Francis told a charming legend about shepherds hurrying to the stable to bring gifts to the newborn Jesus. Each offered what they had, but one poor shepherd, having nothing, stood apart in shame. Overwhelmed by the gifts, Mary noticed him and invited him closer. Placing the baby Jesus in his empty arms, she gave him the greatest gift of all. Realizing he held the Son of God, the shepherd felt deeply loved. His once-empty hands became a cradle for the divine, and with joy, he shared the gift of Jesus with everyone around him.
This Christmas, consider what fields you are keeping watch over. In the busyness of life, are you listening for the angel’s message? Are you willing to leave behind your tasks, distractions, and fears to encounter Christ?
Let us pray,
O God, who through the blessed Apostle John have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word, grant, we pray, that we may grasp with proper understanding what he has so marvelously brought to our ears. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
