 There were shepherds in the field keeping watch over their flock by night and Suddenly appearing before them was an angel the Lord and they were frightened But that angel said to them do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy Front to you is born this day a savior born in the city of Bethlehem This is one of my favorite passages in the second chapter of the gospel of st. Luke when I read the Christmas story I think about how it is that these shepherds who were doing what they did every evening We're in a routine But God interrupted that routine My hope in my prayer for you and for me is that in our routine over the next several days As we prepare for the birth of the Christ child that that we look for ways in which God is seeking to interrupt our routine and our daily lives So that we may recognize how it is that the Christ child is moving into our midst There will be many celebrations of Christmas over the next few weeks But most importantly what I hope you celebrate and experience is the birth of this Christ child Who's transformed your life and transformed our world? May you and all of yours have a most blessed Christmas season I'm Mike McKee Bishop of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church And I will pray for you and for all of you That you may receive the birth of this Christ child in your life this season. God bless you