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Merry Christmas everyone.

It is my prayer that each of you have peace, joy, and comfort of heart this Christmas season.

I was reading in Luke chapter two today about the birth of Jesus.  And I got thinking about the shepherds that were tending their sheep that night.

Here is Chapter 2, verses 1-20 from the Book of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible.  This is from the King James version of the Bible.

1  ‘’And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5  to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.’’

Could you imagine being one of the shepherds on that hillside the night Christ was born?  The shepherds were all just sitting around the campfires.  Talking and telling stories.  The same as they had done for days, weeks, and years before.

All of a sudden, BAM!!!!!

A bright and shining angel appears before them and says, Fear not!  I think it would have been too late for me.  I think I would have been more than scared at that time.

Then Gabriel told those simple shepherds about Jesus.  That these shepherds could find Jesus lying in a manger.

Then Gabriel is done sharing his message to the shepherds and WHAM!!!  The sky becomes bright as day due to the number of angels that suddenly appear.

The hillside surrounding the shepherds resounded with the sounds of all these angels praising God.

And what did the shepherds do?  They immediately left their sheep and went to find Jesus.

The shepherds were the very first people to hear that God had sent a Savior for His people.

Isn’t it interesting that God didn’t have the angels announce the birth of Christ to kings, nobles, and rich people?  God announced it to common people.  People who would know how to worship the baby born in a place for cattle and who had a manger for his first bed.

God could have had Jesus come as a king to be respected by everyone.  But, instead, He chose a humble beginning to show that Jesus wasn’t just for the rich but for EVERY person.

This means that Jesus came for everyone.  From the simplest person to the leaders of the world.

I think it is also interesting that Jesus is called the Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20.  ‘’Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,’’

Therefore, it seems even more appropriate that the first people to hear about His birth are shepherds.

But you know what is even more amazing about the shepherds?  They didn’t just go see Jesus and say, ‘’Yep, that’s a baby.’’

NO!  The Bible says they returned, glorifying, and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.  They could not keep silent after seeing Jesus.

My hope for you this Christmas is this.  That you will be like the shepherds and go to seek and find Jesus.  And when you do, let that change your heart.  In that way, you also can go away glorifying and praising God for all the things He has done and will do in your life.

This Christmas season, may you truly find Jesus and let Him into your heart.

Merry Christmas