SHEPHERDS
HERALD
GOOD SHEPHERD’S ARRIVAL
And
when they had seen it, they made known abroad
the
saying which was told them concerning this child.
And
all they that heard it wondered at those things
which
were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:17-18
(KJV)
An angel appeared to a group
of mere shepherds and made the astonishing announcement that the Messiah had
been born in Bethlehem. He gave them the even more surprising news that this
Holy Baby would be found sleeping in a feeding trough for animals! Then as
quickly as the host of angels had appeared in glorious light, they vanished,
and the shepherds were once again alone in the dark. The shepherds, like
excited children on Christmas morning, ran to see God’s gift to the world. They
found everything exactly like the angel had said. Afterward they did the same
thing we did as children – they told the entire neighborhood the best gift they
had received – a baby born to be the Messiah. They went back to the drudgery of
guarding their sheep but with a newfound awe of the Lord. They praised and
glorified God as they returned. We wonder if the sheep could sense the change
in their shepherds or if even they were aware that the best Shepherd of all was
now living among men? Just as we share about our “best Christmas ever,” we are
certain those shepherds passed down the story of the night they found their
Savior lying in a manger. We imagine their children and grandchildren, eyes
bright with wonder, saying, “Tell it again! Tell about the angels and the Baby!”
May the wide-eyed wonder of the Christmas story fill our hearts throughout the
Year! May the Spirit of Christmas, the celebration of God’s perfect Gift,
permeate our lives every day!
Father,
let us see once again with wide-eyed wonder the Baby in the manger who was born
to die in our place. May the miracle of the virgin birth and even more-so, the
miracle of the resurrection constantly fill us with joy! And may we, like the
shepherds long ago, proclaim the Messiah to everyone we meet.
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