Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption. Just
ask the Bethlehem shepherds! They had no expectations of excitement. These are
sheep they’re watching. We count sheep to go to sleep!
Shepherds,
however, treasured the predictable. This was the night shift. Any excitement
was bad excitement—wolves, lions, poachers. Just because they wanted a
calm night, didn’t mean they would get it. Luke says, “Then an angel of
the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord shining around them, and they
became very frightened.” We always assume the worst before we look for the
best. Good thing the shepherds lingered. Otherwise they might have missed the
second verse. “On a day we celebrate as Christmas, your Savior was born in the
town of David. He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:9-11).
I
hope you’ll do what the shepherds did—linger near the manger!
John 1:14 says,
“The Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing
love and faithfulness.” He lived among us. He
donned the costliest of robes, a human body. He became a friend of the
sinner and a brother of the poor. He touched their sores and felt their
tears and paid for their mistakes. And to all of us frightened ones, He
shared the same message, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in
God, believe also in Me…I will come again and receive you to Myself” (John
14:1).
And how do we
respond? Some pretend He doesn’t exist. Others hear Him, but don’t
believe Him. But then, a few decide to give it a try. And when He calls
your name, be ready. Look up. He will reach down and take you home…when
Christ comes!
I wanted to take
this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Tom Snowden,
Chaplain
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