The Shepherds Returned
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. – Luke 2: 20
Oh to have been there – on the hillside just beyond the city of Bethlehem! The shepherds were watching their sheep – it was a normal day – a regular evening. They had spent the day guarding their flocks – prepared to do battle with any threat to their charges. They were tired; they needed food, some conversation and rest. The shepherds settled in for the evening – each taking turns watching while their brothers rested.
Suddenly they were wide awake! A bright light was followed by a loud song! The shepherds stared – they were frightened. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be awakened to a heavenly chorus of angels. The words, “Fear not,” gave them peace. The news that the angels brought gave them joy and excitement. The long-promised Messiah – the Savior – the fulfillment of the prophesies had been born – in Bethlehem. The shepherds knew the prophecies. Every time a boy was born, the question was asked, “Is he the one that was foretold?” Each time the answer was, “No.” The people waited – their patience extending thousands of years. I can imagine that for some, the thought crossed their mind that the Savior would never be born. Their patience was gone. They were wondering, “How will we ever know?”
On that hillside near Bethlehem there was no doubt. Christ’s birth was announced loud and clear by angels! The shepherds reacted in a very unshepherdlike way - they left their flocks and ran to see their Savior.
They returned to their flock – excited, refreshed, renewed and at peace. They were changed forever. They knew without a doubt that they were saved from sin, death and the power of Satan. They praised God – for the rest of their lives on earth and for eternity in heaven.
So it is with us. We have the opportunity through our Christmas services to once again hear the angel’s announcement – “He is born!” We have the opportunity to hasten to see Him. We can return from church – excited, refreshed, renewed and at peace. Christ changes us forever – we, too, are certain of our salvation form sin, death and the power of Satan. Let us praise God for the rest of our lives on earth and for eternity in heaven.
I pray you have a blessed Christmas celebration.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the birth of Jesus. Be with us and give us power to tell the Good News to all we see. Amen.
Oh to have been there – on the hillside just beyond the city of Bethlehem! The shepherds were watching their sheep – it was a normal day – a regular evening. They had spent the day guarding their flocks – prepared to do battle with any threat to their charges. They were tired; they needed food, some conversation and rest. The shepherds settled in for the evening – each taking turns watching while their brothers rested.
Suddenly they were wide awake! A bright light was followed by a loud song! The shepherds stared – they were frightened. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be awakened to a heavenly chorus of angels. The words, “Fear not,” gave them peace. The news that the angels brought gave them joy and excitement. The long-promised Messiah – the Savior – the fulfillment of the prophesies had been born – in Bethlehem. The shepherds knew the prophecies. Every time a boy was born, the question was asked, “Is he the one that was foretold?” Each time the answer was, “No.” The people waited – their patience extending thousands of years. I can imagine that for some, the thought crossed their mind that the Savior would never be born. Their patience was gone. They were wondering, “How will we ever know?”
On that hillside near Bethlehem there was no doubt. Christ’s birth was announced loud and clear by angels! The shepherds reacted in a very unshepherdlike way - they left their flocks and ran to see their Savior.
They returned to their flock – excited, refreshed, renewed and at peace. They were changed forever. They knew without a doubt that they were saved from sin, death and the power of Satan. They praised God – for the rest of their lives on earth and for eternity in heaven.
So it is with us. We have the opportunity through our Christmas services to once again hear the angel’s announcement – “He is born!” We have the opportunity to hasten to see Him. We can return from church – excited, refreshed, renewed and at peace. Christ changes us forever – we, too, are certain of our salvation form sin, death and the power of Satan. Let us praise God for the rest of our lives on earth and for eternity in heaven.
I pray you have a blessed Christmas celebration.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the birth of Jesus. Be with us and give us power to tell the Good News to all we see. Amen.