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.
This passage is a familiar one in the story of Christmas and Jesus’ birth. It is packed with some pieces that help us look at the gravity of this special day. Take a few minutes through the next two weeks to dig deeper in to the significance of Jesus’ beginning on earth.
The reason I say two weeks is that this day, December 11th, is exactly 14 days or two weeks until the day we celebrate as Christmas. The significance is not for people who are casual about the holiday or those that only think about Christmas only during this season.
Take a deeper look. And as you do remember that these are only my observations. You may come across some things on your own that I miss as you dig in deeper.
Let’s go to Bethlehem.
The shepherds were intrigued by what just happened. I would be to. It isn’t every day that a group of angels show up in the middle of field while you are working. Also they didn’t waste much time making a decision and starting their trip.
Maybe we shouldn’t waste much time seeking Jesus and worshipping Him.
After seeing Him, the shepherds today everyone.
The eyewitness accounts continue to build on each other. What the angels said was taken in. What the angels said became reality in front of them and in their eyes. When the shepherds saw the reality, they began to tell everyone.
Tell others what you have seen, heard and experienced about Jesus. It is your story now.
Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
Here is a new person in our story taking in all that the angels said to the shepherds. But wait a minute. This woman, Mary, met one of those angels earlier. Do you think that what the disciples said was similar to what Mary heard earlier? I believe it was.
God continues to prove Himself to people. Take it in, like Mary did. Think about it a lot.
The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.
Nothing is a coincidence or luck. God has a plan. His plan and what He shares with us ought to lead us to worship Him. The more we think about what God says and what God shows us, the more we end up praising Him. Praise is a natural overflow of the life of the person who has chosen to follow Jesus.
Let the praise flow. Tell your story. Take it in and think of it often.
I find myself in this story and get even more excited about following Jesus this Christmas and beyond.
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