Of course it was frightening, for it seemed like just another normal evening to those shepherds. Taking turns on the night shift, watching for threatening attacks, guarding each individual sheep’s needs, and constantly wrestling with the natural elements.

Exhausting, longing, waiting on God, loss, fear. 

Was life in this fallen world one of ongoing suffering and hardship for the shepherds?

Of course.

It is for everyone.

Lord Jesus Christ,

Please help us hear the same song, the angels’ Christmas song, using the lyrics of Handel’s Messiah. In its echoes of God’s Word to us, help us imagine the sound and sight as it points us to You, our Good Shepherd.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me (Jn. 10:14 ESV).

Help me to “fear not” through Your Christmas song of my joy in the gospel


I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand (Jn. 10:28-29 ESV).

I praise You for giving me a Christmas song of hope in Christ Jesus

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Rev. 7:17 ESV).

A Christmas playlist to come to our Good Shepherd as we suffer this Christmas

With prayer and love for my suffering sisters in Christ this Christmas, if you would like weekly playlists that help us come to our Good Shepherd with every need and lift our eyes to Him, sign up here. They will be sent to your email. Many others live in our subscriber resource library. Have yourself a blessed little Christmas, no matter what your circumstances are this year.


If you suffer with chronic illness, pain, cancer, anxiety, or depression, this music therapy-inspired podcast of Scripture and hymns is here to help ease symptoms

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