December 16, 2013 - The Story from the Shepherds

Happy Monday and happy pre-Christmas week! I don't know about you, but this week leading up to Christmas is filled with gatherings, challenges and choices. I went grocery shopping yesterday and shook my head at all the HUGE meals sitting in front of me. Then, I caught myself smiling and rehearsing, "no one chooses for me." Even though the schedule is tight - I will choose to exercise. Even though the meals are numerous - I will choose to consume foods on plan. Even though the challenges are great - they are "not the boss of me." Right? Let's do this together. Last week we spoke of Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah. This morning let's look at the story of the shepherds from Luke 2: 8-16 (AMP): 8 And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find (after searching) a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]. 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16 So they went with haste and [by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. As I re-read this passage, my eyes filled with tears several times. While this story happened many years ago, God included it in the Bible so we, in the year 2013, could see truth. Here are some truths I see: 1. It's interesting that when the angel needed to make that initial, Christmas announcement, he chose shepherds. Why not kings or rulers? Why not influential people who could have made proclamations? Isn't it like God to choose ordinary men who knew how to take care of things just as Jesus would come and be our good shepherd. I LOVE that about God! 2. These shepherds were sitting in the DARK keeping watch. You can rest assured that during your dark seasons, God will be watching and tending to your life. Do you love it? 3. When the angel senses they are afraid, he comforts them and doesn't rebuke them for being human. Can you pause and find a voice that comforts you and hear that sound, as if God was speaking, reminding you this day, "Don't be afraid. I have a plan for you and it's really good news. It's for you and your family and ALL your friends." 4. Have you ever wondered if the shepherds who heard this announcement were immediately converted? There was no denying that the baby was the fulfillment of the prophesies they had heard. They never tried to disagree or question - they left immediately to go and confirm. And God delivered. He ALWAYS does! 5. And how about the booming sound from the army of heaven singing and worshipping as the King had arrived, just as God had promised? Their song announced that men and women, you and I living in 2013, would now have a chance to experience REAL Peace whose name would be Immanuel - God with us. JOY, JOY, JOY! 6. And finally - we don't know what happened when they arrived, but they did. They found Peace, their Good Shepherd, Truth, Fulfillment and much, much more that beautiful night. Even now my eyes fill with tears AGAIN. They found Him - just as I did and he rocked their world as He did mine. There's something about seeing Jesus and realizing that my life would be very different if I hadn't. The shepherds came to know this first hand. As you read this passage, can you see them as they stand at the manager? I can. Let your week be filled with moment after moment of seeing Jesus as YOUR shepherd. PK