Written by Adri Fonteijn
Start with 2 minutes of Silence
Scripture
Luke 2:8-12 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.”
Devotional thought When our daughter was born we wanted to share this joy with our family and friends. Our parents and siblings were the first to visit. Everyone else had to wait. I have just enough Photoshop skills to be dangerous so I designed a birth announcement. We sent around 100 of these cards to friends and family. When a baby is born you celebrate with those closest to you. How interesting then, that the first to hear the news about the birth of the Messiah are shepherds. In first century Palestine, shepherds were treated as outcasts. Their voice wasn’t even recognized in court. The shepherds wouldn't have been on my list to receive an announcement card. However, God sends an angel to not just announce, but personally invite the shepherds to visit the newborn baby and his parents.
Face to face with the miracle of the incarnate God....
Later on in the gospel of Luke we find that the shepherds go and find Jesus. Face to face with the miracle of the incarnate God they can't do anything else but spread the same news the angel had told them: "a Savior has been born!"
Question to consider In our human eyes the shepherds were unlikely candidates for receiving the news of a new born Messiah first. Which person or people might you have overlooked? Who might God be inviting to share your life and the good news of Jesus Christ with? Prayer Lord, give me fresh eyes so I can marvel at the miracle of God coming to earth as a baby anew. And as I stand in awe of your gift, give me the boldness to share this news with those around me.