Living 4 Him

“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.’” Luke 2:15

On the night Jesus was born, a hillside outside of Bethlehem bathed in living light became the setting for an angelic birth announcement.  Only one writer of the gospels chose to include this marvelous event in his writings. . . that writer was Luke.

Luke was a Gentile, as well as a doctor and historian.  These factors contribute to the highly detailed information presented in his gospel.  He was seeking the truth for himself, interviewing others, listening to first-hand knowledge of Jesus and the impact he had on this earth. 

Luke’s narrative includes the birth of Jesus and a group of shepherds who became the first witnesses to the newborn Messiah.

Familiar words from Luke 2:8-20 tell of shepherds outside the village of Bethlehem who were “keeping watch over their flocks.”  Suddenly, the sky filled with a bright light which frightened the shepherds.  But a voice said, “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.” Luke 2:10-12

Upon hearing these words and witnessing a multitude of angels praising God, the shepherds quickly went to Bethlehem to find the baby. The shepherds’ actions and reactions contain lessons to guide our earthly journeys.

Face your fear.  The shepherd initially reacted in fear to the appearance of the angels.  What if they had run away?  What if they had not stayed to listen and discover the Messiah had been born that very night?  Fear makes us want to run away, but many times God uses our fear to draw us closer to him and perform a deeper act of faith within us.  The shepherds remind us that fear happens, but we can face our fear faithfully with God.

Act on God’s messages.  The shepherds did not hesitate to go and see for themselves the message they had received.  God’s gives us many messages, through his Word, through inspirational writings, through music, through his creation.  Allow God’s messages to prompt your actions upon this earth so that the “fragrance of God” may permeate the world. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

Admire Jesus.  I sometimes think about how difficult it must have been for Mary and Joseph to reside in such crude surroundings for the birth of their first child.  No family to celebrate. No friends to help out. What joy and comfort they experienced when the shepherds arrived and admired their baby.  By seeking Jesus, finding Jesus and celebrating Jesus, the shepherds set an example for us; admire Jesus each day and look for his work in all of creation!  What joy you will bring to God!

I was nine-and-a-half years old when my youngest brother was born.  Back then, the hospital stay was several days, but my other brother and I spent time at the hospital admiring the babies displayed inside the window of the nursery.  How eager and excited we were each day to arrive at the hospital and to spot our baby brother among the other babies!  Our eagerness and excitement reminds me of the shepherds, hastening to Bethlehem to find the baby for themselves. 

The shepherds held an eagerness for God that pushed them past their fear. 

The shepherds acted in eagerness to listen and obey the message from God.

Driven by eagerness, the shepherds found Jesus and began worshiping this magnificent gift from God.

Pray for eagerness in your life.  .  . eagerness for God’s presence that propels you beyond fear . . . eagerness to act upon God’s every message . . . eagerness to seek Jesus for yourself and to admire the gift you have received.

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul): Relive the shepherd’s experience in Luke 2:8-20.  

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): Do a search in the Bible for the word “eager” and take each scripture into the new year with you! Here are a few to get you started (1 Peter 5:2, 1 Corinthians 4:11).