It is a story that is retold every Christmas—of the time an angel choir showed up in a workplace.
And how an unlikely group of shepherds became witnesses and worshippers.
I believe this well-loved story has prophetic significance, as we prepare for Christmas 2020.
That right here, in the midst of uncertainty, and in the face of unique challenges, God is saying:
“Beloved, this is the moment I am visiting you.
I am revealing My glory.
I am restoring your wonder.
Don’t look for other conditions. Don’t wait for another time.
For the time is now.”
It is “Now O’Clock”!
5 Ways God is Restoring Your Wonder
1. You are Hearing Good News from Heaven
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8, NKJV)
On the night Jesus is born, an angel appears to a group of shepherds.
Suddenly, a spotlight of glorious light from Heaven is shining around them!
- These shepherds are guards, ready and fearless against intruders
- And yet a messenger from God has them trembling in terror
Such is the glory of God.
The angel says, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)
Good News!
It’s the antidote to fear.
It is the realization that Jesus is with you, and that God is working all things together for good.
As this year draws to a close, know that you are loved!
The spotlight of Heaven is upon you.
You are receiving a fresh word from God.
2. You Realize You’re on Holy Ground
The angel has news from Heaven.
It’s for all people, and yet in that moment, it’s also personal, to the shepherds.
This very night, locally in Bethlehem, the Savior has been born. A baby who is Christ, the King!
Not who will be Christ the King.
But who is! Right now!
To the shepherds’ amazement, the angel announces that they will find the baby in a manger.
A manger.
Now this is the kind of place the shepherds can relate to—a stable, where animals are housed and fed.
- Resting in the animals’ feeding trough
- Surrounded by the smell of manure; the odor of animals and hay
It is an unusual place to find a newborn King.
Today, the Lord wants you to know that in the midst of the ordinary is glory!
Angels on a hillside. A King in a stable.
Your home; your workplace.
Here is Heaven on earth.
This ground, as hard as it may seem right now, is holy ground, because God is present.
3. You Become Aware of Your Significance
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14, NKJV)
The shepherds are amazed, for they are the recipients of a dazzling visitation!
This Christmas you discover, that no matter your location or vocation, Heaven is singing over you.
Angels are here.
You may be waiting for dawn—for a ray of light.
For hope in the darkness.
Hear the Father declare over you:
“You are known, loved and noticed. You are significant!”
You are at the right place at the right time to receive a miracle.
4. You are Enabled to Release Your Cares
The shepherds are given an unexpected task: to find a newborn baby in a Bethlehem stable.
“…this will be the sign to you”.
To them, their significance in God’s plan is unexpected.
- But the reality is, He has always loved them—chosen them before time.
Quickly, the shepherds prepare to leave, for it is no longer “business as usual”.
God is doing a new thing, and—wonder of wonders—He has let them in on it!
“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:16, NKJV)
- In that moment, they take it for granted that God, who has instructed them to go, will take care of their flock
- So—their burden of care lifted—they rush off, to find the baby
Today, like those shepherds, you may be focused on responsibilities, or risks.
You may have a weighty burden of care
Receive the comfort of the Lord—and be assured.
For you are chosen.
And your Father is taking care of that which concerns you.
5. Your Wonder Will be Restored
After seeing the baby Jesus, the shepherds are bursting with excitement.
- They have wondrous news, news of a newborn Savior—and, it was told to them by angels!
“They made it widely known”.
And those who heard it marveled. (Luke 2:18).
Wonder is valuable.
Wonder is contagious. It produces wonder!
So, if you have felt stuck in the ordinary.
And you have lost the wonder of your faith:
- This Christmas, receive a touch from Heaven.
For there is glory in the ordinary! And your wonder, will be turned to worship. And that, will overflow to witness.
This is your time of visitation.
“Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” (Luke 2:20, NKJV)
Prophetic Teaching (Sermon Notes) for Christmas
If you would like more Christmas teaching, here’s my pick from Enliven Blog:
- 4 Principles of the Suddenlies of God
- How to Receive Your Prophetic Word and Position for It’s Fulfilment (Mary)
- 5 Prophetic Lessons from the First Christmas Advent
- New Beginnings: You Can Trust God With Them
I’m Going on a Break! :-)
Hi everyone, warm greetings from Australia!
My husband Malcolm and I are taking some much-needed time out, and so you won’t receive any communications from me for 2 or 3 weeks.
In the meantime, my team member Karen will answer any comments or prayer requests you leave here on today’s post.
I’ll look forward to reading them when I return.
Have a blessed Christmas
Helen
Are you a discerner-intercessor?
This new class on the “Watchman Intercessor” is for you
Over the past few months, I’ve been stirred to create some special classes (within the Prayer School) for prayer warriors who are discerners.
You may identify as a “Watchman Intercessor”.
These are the prayer warriors who are God’s Heavenly alert system.
Do you relate to any of the following?
- You have an instinct to guard, protect or warn
- Being a discerner, you perceive or see spiritual realities that others don’t see
- You are highly sensitive to atmospheres
- You know what it means to be burdened to pray
- You may have a specific assignment–to pray for individuals, groups or regions
- You may have been misunderstood or felt lonely in your journey
I invite you to join me on the Enliven School of Prophetic Prayer, where I’m in the process of adding a new class on the topic of “Empowering the Watchman Intercessor”.
For a short period of time, while the Prayer School is under construction, I’m bringing the full price down to $19.95 USD.
Currently on the Enliven School of Prophetic Prayer are 40 self-paced video lessons (complete in your own time), along with PDF transcripts, exercises and bonus eBooks.
Alternatively, you can view all online courses, including the Prophetic School here.
© 2020 Helen Calder, Enliven Blog
Enliven Ministries: In the David McCracken Ministries family
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
AMEN AND AMEN TO THE KING OF GLORY. THANK YOU JESUS.THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN MY LORD.HE TURNS ASHES IN TO BEAUTY,HE TURNS SHAME INTO GLORY,HE TURNS GRAVES INTO GARDENS.GLORY GLORY TO OUR PRINCE OF PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.HELEN THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE GODS CHOSEN SERVANT,THANK YOU THAT HE IS USING YOU FOR HIM TO GET TO US.I LOVE YOU,YOUR FAMILY,YOUR BLOG ,YOUR MINISTRY.THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES,I AM EVEN CRYING AS I AM TYPING THESE.MAY GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY,YOUR MINISTRY.I PRAY THAT MAY 2021 BE FRUITFUL FOR EVERYONE.MAY ALL OF US SEE GODS MIGHTY HAND IN OURLIVES.MAY WE LIVE TO GLORIFY HIS NAME IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.THANK YOU JESUS
thank you so much Hilda, I value the prayers
you are richly blessed in Christ
This is a totally wonderful message, Helen – especially for ‘shepherds’ feeling jaded after the year we have been through. Thank you for your faithfulness in relaying the words of the Lord: this is such wonderful encouragement indeed!
Blessings to you and your family this 2020 Christmas season. Christmas is, and was, and evermore shall be!
From a shepherd in New Zealand…
Patricia
God bless you there in my beloved Kiwi-land, Patricia! <3
Thank you Helen,
This was not my best spiritual time, I did not feel good either physically and mentally. This message filled me with energy and made sense of this Christmas time because I wasn’t expecting a baby in the manger. Now that makes sense. This message gives hope to wonder.
Aivars
Hi Aivars, I pray the Holy Spirit breathes across every part of your life bringing the replenishing you need. May you be surprised by joy this Christmas
Yes,Yes,Yes….what a great time to Receive His Wonder !!
Bless you and yours Helen ! and ALL your readers….Much grace and favour in this Fea
stive Season !
Thank you Rob!
Hi Helen
Thank you for sharing that word. God touched me in a way I wasn’t expecting and highlighted different parts of your message than I thought was going to mean things to me! (I shouldn’t be surprised but He always has something new for us doesnt He! ?)
I have been so blessed by your words and messages this year. This is the first time I have commented on anything. I just wanted to wish you and your husband (and all your loved ones) and very blessed and safe Christmas and Happy New Year. from WA.
Hi Larissa, thank you for leaving the comment – it’s lovely to hear from a WA sister – enjoy a safe and happy Christmas in your beautiful part of the world. I’m glad to hear the blogs have been a blessing!
Hello Helen.
I very much appreciate the often timely words you share online. Over the years I have received numerous prophesies and they were barn burners to say the least. I’ve been walking with the Lord for many years and served on the foreign mission field where I met my wife. I have always received personal prophesies not with skepticism but with a request to the Lord for clarity and also to remain faithful with whatever He would reveal to me. I am not one to receive a word and then to try and modify or alter my life to fit into the prophesy.
I must say that the words I have received were quite frankly outrageous. All of them! And each person delivering them was a respected leader. These prophesies have been ongoing for years. I’m tired to the point of totally dismissing every opportunity presented me to receive a word.
I’d be grateful to receive any comments.
Hi Frank,
I do understand how that can be! Over the years we’ve had many prophecies and a few are like that, even from respected prophets. But like Paul indicates (1 Thess 5:19-22) it honors the Spirit to embrace prophecies, test them and hold fast to that which proves to be of God.
So, don’t give up on prophecy, and your wisdom and ability to step back and weigh it up is valuable too. At the end of the day – just as you’ve done, moving faithfully in our God-given call, walking with the Lord, serving wholeheartedly. This is the gold. And Jesus will say, “well done good and faithful servant”.
As far as prophecy, I would love to see more grounded teaching so that those prophesying do so with wisdom and love and accuracy – checking that the prophet is themselves submitted / responds well to leadership is a good idea, that’s where their own ministry and gifts are honed (Eph 4).
I wrote a post a while back on unfulfilled prophecy https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/2011/08/23/dealing-with-prophetic-disappointment/