LUKE 2:8-18 – “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”
THEME OF THE DAY: JOINING THE CHRISTMAS SHEPHERDS. It’s Christmas Day! In many homes, today’s scripture will be read. As we recognize the “Christmas Story”, it isn’t difficult to picture the classic show, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Linus with his blanket answering Charlie Brown’s question, “Isn’t there anyone who can tell me the meaning of Christmas?” Linus would unfold a warm reading of Luke 2:8-14.
Now, go from Peanuts and Linus to the Christmas shepherds. Imagine being one of those guys watching over the sheep by night. It was a normal night of sheep watching. Quiet, peaceful, not much happening. We might even be fighting sleep as boredom sets in. We attempt to stay awake by gazing into the night sky filled with stars like glistening diamonds. But then . . . the angel of the Lord appeared. Gripped with great wonder and fear, we hear these words from the angel – “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger”. If that wasn’t enough to jolt us out of a stage of drowsiness, this happens – “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 among those with whom he is pleased!””
How did the shepherds respond? How would we respond? They didn’t sit around doubting and reasoning within themselves. Nor did they allow this miraculous visit and news from the other world leave them unaffected. Their response is a wonderful display and example of child-like faith. Luke records – “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger”.
No questioning the message. No wavering faith. They received the message and went to the city to affirm the message. They did not go because they doubted. They went because they believed.
The lesson for us is simple – are we like them? Do we receive the Word of the Lord in simple faith, often without thoroughly understanding it due to human limitations? That is what true faith does. May the Lord make us like the Christmas shepherds in our walks with Him!
PRAYER: Lord, grant me the child-like faith of those Christmas shepherds with the good news of Yourself.
REFLECTION: God’s Word is trustworthy and though we may not understand fully, we may trust absolutely.