Tuesday, December 20

Luke 2:15-20

Ruthie Barnett

15 “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

In verse 16 we read: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger.” 

What did the shepherds do after the angel went away?  What would we have done if we had been shepherds in the field?  I often wonder if I would have left my sheep and gone to seek what I had been told.  As much as I would have wanted to go, would my sense of duty have let me?  What about the sheep? 

So often we let our own thoughts and feelings determine what we do.  I hope I would have gone so that I, too, could glorify and praise God for this greatest gift. 

Let us use this Advent season to seek and find Jesus in our hearts, in others and in the world.  May we, like the shepherds, having observed that stable scene and found Jesus lying in a manger, glorify and praise God for the gift of His Son. 

Just as God selected the shepherds to begin the process of conveying this story to all people, He is counting on us to convey the story of the birth of Jesus to all who do not believe. 

Prayer:  Dear Father, let our prayer this day be one of utmost thanks for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help us to share this great gift with all people.  Amen.