“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby …
When they had seen him, they spread the word …
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all the things they had heard and seen…”
Luke 2:16, 17, 20
When the night sky lights up with the glory of heaven and a celestial choir belts out a glorious singing telegram, you don’t just roll over, reposition your head on your pillow/rock, and go back to sleep. These guys got an adrenaline jolt that no 21st-century espresso could rival.
Good news prompted action for the shepherds. Heart racing, pulse beating, feet moving, they hurried off to find the babe! No sauntering, meandering, or lollygagging for this crew. They wanted to see for themselves what the host of heaven had proclaimed.
Their search was rewarded – they got to behold the newborn King. And I don’t think they ever got over it.
Hearing the news prompted action by the shepherds. And seeing the baby brought change.
These men were never the same again. They were transformed into news-bearing worshippers – all in! Sold out! Relentless, committed, and devoted. We find them sharing and singing, praising and proclaiming, and fulfilling the call on the life of every human ever created: to bring glory to God.
Have we been fundamentally changed by the birth of Jesus? Are we seeking Him? Do we pursue Him in God’s Word and in prayer? Do we hurry off to meet Him each morning? Do we long for everyone to know this One who has changed everything? Does the birth of Jesus – and the death and resurrection of Jesus – prompt praise and worship from us?
Our King came to us and for us. Immanuel … God with us. God for us. God loves us! Let’s ask Him to fill our hearts with fresh wonder, glorious amazement, peace, and great joy because of that truth.
As you wrap the last packages, bake a final batch of cookies, and mail your remaining Christmas cards, let each Christmas task be done with joy in your heart and a song of praise on your tongue. Join with me – and the angels and the shepherds – in adding our voices to worship and adore Him:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
That’s something worth singing about! That’s something worth telling about!
We have peace with God – we’ve been reconciled with God – because of our King Jesus!
Hallelujah!
Would you like to spend the rest of the year
contemplating the wonder of Christ’s birth?
Download December’s bookmark and finish 2019
reading and writing scripture along with us,
as we focus on Reflections for Christmas.
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