by Mere

Created on: June 28, 2009   Last Updated: July 07, 2009

What is my favorite Bible story? Believing that the Bible is truly God's Word, I am hesitant to identify anything from it as a story. However, my favorite passage is so often called a story-The Christmas Story. It is found only in the book of Luke.

As we reflect on the first twenty verses of the second chapter in Luke's Gospel we need to realize that famous night in Bethlehem is more than just a religious Christmas card scene produced by Hallmark. The greatest birth announcement had been sent out to the world. A Savior was born, Christ, the Lord. No greater event in history had happened. The Messiah had arrived. Prophecy had been fulfilled.

Who were the first to hear the glad tidings? An angel of the Lord appeared to humble shepherds out in the fields tending to their flocks. In those days shepherds were looked upon with scorn and disgust. Their social level was the lowest. What a contrast that was; a heavenly being speaking to men of little worth and regard.

The glory of the Lord shone around them as the angel said to them "Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people". Can you imagine how illuminated those dark skies became as the angel spoke to them? Of course they were frightened. They had never seen such brilliance. They must have been speechless.

Then suddenly there appeared a celestial concert of multitudes praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men". It had to have been the concert of concerts.

What did the shepherds do when the angels had gone away from them into heaven? Their fear was transformed into joy. They immediately said to one another that they must go to Bethlehem. They went with haste to find Mary, Joseph and the Babe in that stable. It was the shepherds who were the first to praise and exalt the Savior. They told everyone about the Christ Child. The shepherds glorified and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen.

How does my life parallel the response of the shepherds? How do I worship the Lord? Am I eager to hear the Good News? Do I tell others about how Jesus is working in my life? Do I praise and glorify God for all that He has done for me? Do I realize that Jesus is the best Christmas gift that I have ever received?

Isn't it amazing that the child born in Bethlehem would become the Good Shepherd? Alleluia!

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