The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
The shepherds were visited by angels who told them the good news, the messiah was born into the world. The one all waited for since the prophets foretold of his coming. And they heard the proclamation of Glory to God on Earth. But first they were told to not be afraid, for the appearance of angels and joyful acclaim from heaven would be an extraordinary thing for any man.
And after seeing and hearing this fantastic opening of the heavens to them they went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
What an experience it must have been for the shepherds. An experience that would be with them forever. We don’t hear anymore about their life. I imagine they lived differently from then on. Living and knowing that the Messiah was now in the world. Certainly, they were filled with more hope and peace than most people. The joy from that experience had to permeate across their years.
30 years later the world would also know that the Messiah was among the world. Walking as a man. Some would be threatened by him. Some would rush to find him and be healed and believe. I wonder if the shepherds would also hear again. Would they one day be among the crowds that followed Jesus. Maybe, or maybe not, since their lives were spent outside of towns tending sheep.
What about us?
We have heard the good news now. We have been told God so loved the world he sent his sons to be with us and die for us. So we may have a way back to the Father.
How are our lives changed by hearing the proclamation of the good news.
I hope we live more hopeful lives. I pray we all have more joy in our hearts.
Jesus has come to the earth so we can return to the Father. But our first job is to make haste to tell others about him. For God has entered the world of time and history so that the world can be transformed by the body. The body of Christ given for us each Sunday, and the body that we make up as believers. Believers who also should be sharing and growing our own faith and love of God.
How did we do in 2025? Did we see growth in our relationship with God? Are we closer to him now than this time last year? That was the assignment.
Our first New Year’s resolution should be to grow even closer to him this year. For most of us that means we get rid of anything that detracts from our putting God first and loving others. Make goals of deeper and more prayer. More adoration. More confession. And more masses this year. Seek him and mold life to be about him, rather than us. We will have a better and more fruitful and peaceful 2026
So I with you a Happy New Year! But more importantly, a blessed new year.
Pray today for more faith and hope and love in 2026. For more God in our life is always a more authentic and better life for a child of God.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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