In the Eyes of a Shepherd

Marry Christmas! Luke 2:10-12 says, "Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'"

All was quiet. The night was silent. And suddenly, without warning, out of nowhere, "an angel of the Lord" (Luke 2:9) appeared! But that is not all. God's glory lit up the sky! What a sight it was. The shepherd's rose to their feet, startled by the sight. Fear began to overwhelm them. They did not understand what this was all about. And then the angel spoke.

Now they understood. God had fulfilled His promise. The Savior had come. They hurried off into the night to meet the Lord and it was not long before they found Him.

It was just as the angel had said. There He was before their very eyes, the Savior, Christ the Lord. They knelt before Him for a time in wonder and awe, and in worship. After all, He was their Lord and Savior.

When they returned to the hillside and to the sheep, they praised God all along the way. They gave Him the glory and they let everyone they met know about Jesus.

The gospel was made known that night. It was as the angel had told them: tonight in Bethlehem a baby was born, "a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (v. 11). The Christ, the Messiah, the Savior had come! It was as God had promised long ago.

They knew the Scriptures. They were all sinners in need of a Savior. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). He was born in order to die for you.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom. 10:9).

Do you believe God raised Jesus from the dead? Have you confessed Jesus as Lord? If not, you can pray right now and receive the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Amen.