When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 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. Luke 2:15-20 (NLT)
Shepherds may seem like unimportant, uneducated men. But they have something to teach me.
“Let us see.” The shepherds are told God’s Good News. They didn’t just sit together on the hillside and enjoy that news. They went to see what His proclamation looked like.
I have also been told the Good News of God. And He has directed me to various places and people where I can see His Good News in the flesh.
Every newborn baby shows the miracle that comes from God. As a hospice nurse I was honored to stand as a witness as God took His children home to live with Him for all eternity. In my own sinful life, God revealed how He sent His Son to die so that my sins are covered by Jesus’ Blood and I can live for all eternity with my Father. Every day I learn more about the depth of God’s love.
After seeing, they told everyone. Who have I told about what I have seen? Sharing God’s Good News does not require that I stand and shout and argue someone into accepting their need for a savior. It is sharing what I know in my heart about the Savior who died for me. It is living what I have learned. If I ran into a couple who were dying of thirst, would I “forget” or feel too embarrassed to share my canteen of water with them?
They glorified and praised God for all. I want to confess to you that I did something yesterday afternoon that I haven’t done – well, in a long time. I spent over an hour just thanking God. I didn’t ask Him for a thing. I just kept thanking and praising Him. I need to do it more. God gives so much. He is worthy of all my praise and thanksgiving.
God uses shepherds, angels, mothers, fathers, children, animals, flowers and trees, clouds and rain – all that He has created to teach me more about Him and our relationship. Are my eyes and heart open to learn?
(I will be resting next week, December 30 – January 3; spending my time praising and thanking God!)
Glory to God from Handel’s Messiah – The London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra
