how did you hear? the shepherds

How do you know?

That is a question that has always confused, maybe because I am often confused. But it depends on where you are coming from as to how you answer the question.

There are many different ways to learn. The methods of communication can vary from the text message to the message on the billboard, the letter in the mail or the unscheduled meeting at the store. Each time information is passed. It might be good news. It might be simple information. It could be anything.

But those shepherds were in the right place at the right time. Better yet, God knew them and knew where they were. Not the most highly favored in the eyes of the world because they often didn’t smell very good and maybe were different than the other people around.

The shepherds were the first to hear the good news. How did they know? The angels told them. And what they were told was amazing.

Let’s replay that one again.

Luke 2:9-14 NLT

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

I would have been scared. How about you? They had no idea what they were experiencing as it seemed, at least to us, a scene some a sci-fy or horror movie.

It wasn’t a scene from a movie. It was a birth announcement of the best kind. The one who was promised had come. The messiah. The savior. The one who would change lives.

Jesus changed their lives. How did they hear? They heard from God.

We can hear from God as well. This Christmas may we share what we have heard and do it with joy. You know, the joy which shall be for all people. Choose to share so others hear, and when they are asked “how did you hear?” they will tell even more people about the joy of Jesus first told to the shepherds.

Have yourself a very Merry Christmas, and may the Lord Jesus Christ be the meaning to your life each and every day!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

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wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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