Advent Devotional Week 4

The Visit that Changed Everything

December 23, 2012

Luke 2:15-20

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.”  So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The shepherds made a choice.  They heard the message that the angels brought to them from God.  They witnessed a great concert of praise.  They had that powerful and life changing experience and their response was to go and do.  This meant that they had to leave their jobs while still on duty.  It caused them to take a risk and to break with what was expected.  Yet they decided to go and see.  An experience with God brings with it an opportunity to choose.  The Lord invites His people to “go and see” what He is doing.  Sadly, we often let other things stop us from going and seeing what the Lord has for us.  Perhaps this Christmas we can choose differently.

Sure enough, they listened to the angels, followed their directions, and found Jesus just as he was described.  At this point they were no longer shepherds.  They were messengers.  They were a blessing to Mary and Joseph.  Mary treasured what the shepherds had to tell her.  They were the confirmation of everything the angels had told Mary and Joseph.  They brought joy to what was surely a difficult night.  Then the shepherds went back to work.  Everyone they met they shared the Good News with.  Their lives and their words were praise to God.  The shepherds as examples of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  May we be like them. Let’s be a blessing.  Let’s share the message.  Let’s praise the Lord!