Thoughts for another day

December 23, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 2:15b. the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When Jesus was born, very few people were aware that the Son of God had entered the world as a small baby, as vulnerable and frail as any other.  Among those who were blessed to know were shepherds grazing their sheep at night on the mountains in rural Bethlehem; and how:  the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, melting their hearts with fear.  The angel asked them not to fear saying he brought good news of great joy for all people.  He then declared the birth of Jesus in David's city who was the anointed of the Lord; also telling them that they would find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 

Then suddenly there was with the angel, a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and peace to men on earth.'  Imagine the incredulity of the shepherds at what they had seen.  They would've literally come alive on that silent, cold winter's night and galvanized into motion, told one another, 'let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass of which the Lord made known to us.  Off they rushed to see the baby Jesus in the crib in a manger - cold and dark and there they worshipped Him.

Of men upon earth, the dearest to the Lord are the poor and 'child-like' and the shepherds to whom the angel spoke were such.  Yet, God even today, sends us glad tidings of His Son and His Son's redemption power.  It may not be as dramatic as God's glory shining in the night sky but still it echoes in our hearts and is clear to us.  What do we do when we hear His call: do we like the shepherds say, let us go see what the Lord is telling us or do we choose to ignore His voice?