It’s the day before Christmas Eve.

But, it’s just another day on the job for the shepherds watching flocks by night.

They have no idea what’s waiting for them on the other side of 24 hours.

— They will be the only ones personally invited to see the Messiah, right in the delivery room.

— Angels are actually going to light up the sky and blast a singing telegram from God in surround sound.

— Then, just as quickly, the sky will drop back into dead silence, darkness and stars standing in their places, just as they’ve always hung in panoramic view.

The shepherds will wonder.

Was that for real?

Did I actually see and hear what I think just happened?

When God sends us a message — just to us and no one else — we will stagger into that fearful and wonderful place the shepherds found themselves 2,000 years ago.

We will find ourselves in the Fields of Faith.

Fields of Faith

God does that.

He drops by to give us some exciting joyful news.  Change.  New beginnings.

He tells us about His plans with a simple announcement.  No explanations.

His timing is peculiar too.

God hits us with an inspiration, when we’re feeling the most ordinary.

Like the shepherds, we encounter God as we’re sitting on the outside, on the fringes of what we think is our best.

Just as we get excited — just as we begin daring to believe what we we’re hearing or seeing about God and His invitation — Whoosh!

Everything returns back to everyday sameness.

Darkness.  Circumstances and people around all circling and in holding patterns, just as they’ve always been.

This is when we must hold onto faith and gather our courage.

Wild Eyes & Open Hearts

C’mon.  Let’s do it.

Let’s say to ourselves — and to each other — just as the shepherds blurted, bright eyed and open hearted to each other:

“Let us go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.”  (Luke  2:15 GWT)

In an instant, God can call out to us in the field of faith and invite us to leave where we are, to go and see.

We may not believe it, but God is calling us out into the open, wooing us to radically leave the routines we’ve established behind.  We will have to say good bye to some old ways and even some familiar expectations.

But when it’s time to point our steps to go and discover what God’s told us, it’s time for us to act.

As you think and savor these last days of Christmas, remember what God has told you.  No matter how brief the encounter or how few the words.

He said it. And you heard it.

Let’s go and discover what the Lord has for us in the new year.

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Have you wondered about your “field of faith” encounter?

How is God calling you to leave, go or see?

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*** NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN — FAITH BARISTA JAM! ***

Faith Barista Jam Thursdays — I serve up a topic of faith, you write the post. Keep faith fresh with a faith prompt and add your voice to this community.

Today’s topic: Your Unwrapping Jesus Discoveries

Share your post by clicking on the blue button below “Add Your Link”. You can also share directly by simply commenting below.

*1. Ways to celebrate Christmas simply.

*2. Inspiring moments that fill you with God’s love, joy, peace, or hope.

*3. Encouragement to see Christmas in a new way.

*4. A Fresh Take on the Gift of Jesus.

*Special Topic for January 6, 2011!*
Our next Faith Barista Jam will start up in the new year  (Can you believe it?)

Share one word God is putting on your heart for the new year. (I know you have many.  No worries.  We’ll be exploring many!)

*Special Bloggers Mailing List* I send out my writing-for-faith tips along with the topic, as a reminder for the jams. If you’re not already on it,  drop me an email at faithbarista@gmail.com — I’ll get you right on it!

 

Approach it any way you feel inspired! Only required ingredient: keep it real. Thanks for serving your personal brews!

Build the Keep Fresh Fresh Community: Link back to Faith Barista or grab this month’s special Christmas Faith Barista Jam Badge to place in your post. Click here.

It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!

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