DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?
Mechelle Holbrook
Today’s Scripture: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15, ESV
Theme: Amid the hustle that comes with the Christmas season, learn to slow down and know the Good Shepherd. He already knows you, loves you, and has laid His life down for you.
RUSH, RUSH, RUSH
Have you ever experienced the same problem I have? The moment I’m in a hurry, everything that could go wrong does go wrong! I turn into complete butterfingers and drop everything. The dog jumps on me, gets me dirty, and I have to change. I can’t find my keys, even though they are right in front of me. The elevator moves in slow motion. I get behind a school bus or trash truck. And of course, the one thing I need is left on the kitchen counter at home.
And it doesn’t get any easier when Christmas season arrives. If anything, it gets worse. The rush, the noise, the pressure, the lists, the gatherings—each one pulling for our attention. But in the middle of our hurry, the Good Shepherd is inviting us to slow down so that we can hear His voice more clearly. It reminds me of the line from the Christmas song “Do You Hear What I Hear?”—a song that moves from whisper to proclamation. The invitation is the same for us: Do you hear Him? Do you hear the Shepherd calling your name above all the noise?
THE SHEPHERD WHO SPEAKS IN THE STILLNESS
It’s ironic, isn’t it? At the very first Christmas, there was also rushing and crowding and “no room.” The town was packed. The inns were full. People were busy, distracted, and preoccupied. But God didn’t announce the birth of His Son in the hustle and bustle of the city streets. He announced it to shepherds—quiet, watching, paying attention. Out in the stillness of the fields, they were able to hear the angels proclaim the arrival of the King. While everyone else was rushing, they were listening.
And here’s the truth from John 10:
- Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
- He knows you.
- He calls you by name.
- He laid down His life for you.
Make It Personal: Why would we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, yet intentionally or unintentionally leave Him out of His own celebration? This Christmas season let’s choose to pause; to breathe; to listen; to push back on the rush and draw near to our Shepherd. Because if we aren’t careful, the very One we’re celebrating becomes the One we overlook.
Do you hear what I hear? Will you pause?
It’s His voice—gentle, steady, loving—calling us into His peace.
Pray: Lord, help us slow down. Help us make room. Help us hear the voice of our Good Shepherd. Help us remember that You laid down Your life for us. Might that truth come alive in our hearts afresh this Christmas. In Your Name I pray, amen.
Read: Luke 2:8-18, Proverbs 8:17, Jeremiah 29:13
Weekly Memory Verse: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11, ESV