Some Important Revelations About the Christmas Story
There were numerous scenes in scripture to the Christmas Story. One of the most well known, no doubt is that of God’s angel messengers appearing to the Shepherds and the Shepherd’s response. Here is the narrative from Luke 2:8-20:
“And there were shepherds living out in the field 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to YOU; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes 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, and on earth peace to men 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. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising GOD for all the things they had heard and seen, WHICH WERE JUST AS THEY HAD BEEN TOLD.”
Just a few important thoughts as I read and listened this Christmas season, 2015.
First, God wants to bring His glory to us, and communicate to us in the most normal settings of our daily experiences. I guess the question is, are we ready for it and listening for His voice?
The second thing is, we never have to be afraid of God’s glory – He only has a heart of hope and healing for us. They were terrified, but the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring YOU good new of great joy that will be for ALL the people.” Today …a Savior has been born for You; He is Christ the Lord.”
Thirdly, God wants to give us the details of The revelation of His glory; “You will find a baby….
Fourthly, God often reinforces His Presence. “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel……
Fifthly, the shepherds responded to God’s revelation. “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing……which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off…..
Sixthly, when we see Him, spreading word about Him comes natural. Are you, am I, developing an intimacy with God that I have fresh reasons to naturally share Him?
Seventhly, when we share the way God’s glory is revealed, “all the people were amazed;” those we share Him with will be as well, I believe. It gives us reason to soak up these things in our heart, in the very center of our being.
Lastly, when we return to our everyday, normal setting, we will be glorifying and praising God for all the things we’ve seen and heard, which were confirmed to be just as God revealed to us. (And the cycle starts again.) That’s because God is such an awesome God, knowing just what we need and where and how He is going to meet it.
This Christmas, wise men still seek Him, He is still and ever will be the reason for the season. As we keep His Presence center, He will again reveal Himself to every person revitalizing life, love, peace, joy, hope and a myriad of blessings that will be found ONLY in Him. Have a Merry, joyful, Christ-filled Christmas this year. “Jesus, YOU are the Light of the world, and our eyes are focused on YOU! Amen.”