Tuesday, December 15, 2009

the Christmas cast- shepherds

It was night.  The shepherds were quietly watching over their flocks in fields near to where Mary was giving birth.  When all of the sudden, an angel appeared in the sky and reported the good news of the Savior's birth.  The angel told them only where to find the baby and how to recognize him.  And then the entire night sky filled with angels praising God & saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased".  (I love the NLT version of that).  Then the angels disappear.
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The Bible records next the shepherds speaking.  "Let's go to Bethlehem!  Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord told us about."  I can imagine there was a bit more conversation going on than that though. Can you imagine it today?  We'd likely be saying "I have to get my phone", or "where's the hidden camera?" or "nice special effects".  Or perhaps there was near silence, awestruck by what they had just seen and heard.  Maybe very little was spoken, just action taken.  We don't know whether the shepherds questioned the validity of what they saw, whether they were silenced with the awe of the moment, whether they traveled with full belief of what they were to see or with an attitude of doubt and reservation, but we can know that they were every bit as human as you and I are and, most likely, had a similar reaction to what our's might have been. Whatever their underlying thought, the Bible says they traveled quickly to Bethlehem.
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There they found exactly what they were told they would see.
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Luke 2:17-18, "After seeing [baby Jesus], the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished."  Then vs. 20, "The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.  It was just as the angel had told them."
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I love that the shepherds went and told everyone.  Many probably believed their tale, many likely did not.  But they told it.  To everyone.  And when they were done telling, they went back to their regular job and praised God for all they had heard and seen. 
This Christmas season I challenge you, along with me to share about what God has done.  Share with a loved one, one of your children, a friend, a classmate, a coworker.  And then, regardless of whether they believe you or find you and the story offensive, return to your normal duties of life with a attitude of praise and glory to God for what you have seen and heard.

1 comment:

Lori said...

love it!
great challenge, Kim.
Merry Christmas, friend.

Lori