Imagine a night with a million stars in the sky.
It is cold and dark. You are a young shepherd sitting on a hillside tending the flock. It is quiet, except for the occasional bleating of the sheep. And a few words with your fellow shepherds.
It is an ordinary night.
Then suddenly, a bright light bursts open the darkness! And there’s an angel.
An angel!
And the angel is speaking to you in your own language. What would you do?
Here’s the true story:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them,
‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. –Luke 2:8-19
Long ago, ordinary shepherds were astonished that an angel had chosen them to hear the extraordinary good news:
He’s here!
He came! Just like the prophets of old said He would hundreds of years before. Messiah. Jesus Christ. Deliverer has come!
What else could they do but go to see—and fall on their knees in awe and worship.
And now, we celebrate again the wonder of night Christ was born.
And we, too, fall on our knees and worship in awe.
Grateful for the Love that changed everything.
God loved the people of this world so much
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who has faith in him
will have eternal life and never really die.
John 3:16 (CEV)
For more Christmas and Advent posts by Jackie M. Johnson:
Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (Part 1)
Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (Part 2)
Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (Part 3)
Photo credit: Kailash Kumar, pexels
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