“The armies of heaven surrounded the shepherds. They told of the Messiah, the Savior, has been born. The shepherds responded, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph, and there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing Him, they told everyone what had happened.” This passage is found in Luke 2:11,13,15-17.
The shepherds show us how to believe and receive the Gift that has been given. They heard truth and responded accordingly. They went to see for themselves. When they found the truth, they spoke of it to everyone.
“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angels had told them.” This is Luke 2:20.
They returned home changed.
We cannot deny the fact that Jesus came to change us.
God sent angels to tell simple shepherds to go and see what had taken place. When they arrived, they found what the angels had told them. They knew. They knew this tiny baby was going to change the world and them.
From spending time in His presence, they were changed.
How can an infant make this kind of impact?
Before the angels arrived, the shepherds were having a normal evening. But afterwards, their hearts were enlightened and their lives were not the same anymore. Even in their mundane routine, like shepherding, they glorified and praised the Lord from that moment on.
We have this same opportunity right now. God’s presence is around us, and He makes Himself known. We simply have to look up and watch for Him. He isn’t far from any of us. He sees us in our mundane routines as well.
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Psalm 23:4 comforts us. Look a what it says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” My friends, we are never alone.
When we see God, we are to respond to His Son by laying down who we are in our sinful flesh and rise up, like Jesus did, with a newness in our heart, soul and mind. This is the change that God is wanting from us.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 tells us why we need to embrace God’s presence, “God will give you a new heart, and He will put a new spirit in you. He will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. God will put His spirit in you so that you will follow His decrees and obey His regulations.”
As we sit in God’s presence, we become Kingdom builders. We build our lives upon Christ. Jesus did not come so He can fit into our plans. Nope, He came so we would change for Him. Romans 5:8-9 tells us, “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”
We are to fit into Christ’s plans.
God is preparing us for heaven, and what better time to say yes to the tiny baby who grew up to be the Savior of the world than now. Behold Christmas and see what God will do. Allow Him to show up in your life.
Carol J German 