King David wrote about the Lord as his Shepherd in the 23rd Psalms. In John 10:27 Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” He even told his apostles to feed his sheep.
 
Isaiah prophesied about Jesus submitting to the crucifixion. Chapter 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, gave his life for the sins of mankind.
 
I’m not surprised that the angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds. I wish I had been there. It nearly scared them to death. Can you imagine a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men?”
 
I wasn’t there, but the Lord is my Shepherd and that’s all I need to know. I hope He’s your Shepherd. Ask Him to be your Shepherd.

The month of December is unquestionably the busiest month. Parties, parades, seeing Santa, shopping, cooking, wrapping, mailing cards, Christmas programs, concerts, decorating, and cooking keep us busy.
 
I remember standing in the Santa line at the mall many years ago. My kids didn’t cry but some did. Most parents have the “Santa-lap” pictures. I hope we don’t get so busy that we forget the reason for baby Jesus.

He left the splendor of heaven,
Knowing His destiny
He came with love and compassion
to lay down his life for me.
If that isn’t love, then heaven’s a myth.
 
Don’t keep Jesus in the manger. See Him on the cross and rising from the dead.

I’m trying to imagine my folks buying Christmas presents for all of us kids. Everything came from Spiegel catalogue. We got a couple presents, perhaps $2.98 apiece, but our excitement equaled that of expensive gifts when we opened them. A doll , coloring books and crayons, cardboard punch-out dolls and clothes delighted us. It was the only time we received presents.
 
Gale and I Christmas shop on the internet. Our children often send a link in an email, giving us ideas. That makes it easy. When they were small and money was tight, we bought cheap dime store toys and they didn’t know the difference. Times have changed, but not the magic.

Do we make the most of our walk with God? Do we realize how important that is? It’s not normal for those who have made a profession of faith in Christ not to walk with him. Look around us. What is influencing us? Is it godly or ungodly? There is no grey area. Our walk with God should progress the gospel of Jesus Christ, sharing it with others.
 
The Apostle Paul shared the gospel, putting his life in danger and winding up in jail. While there he wrote letters to the churches speaking of his joy for them. He may not have been happy in jail, but he had joy. That’s what salvation gives that the world doesn’t.
 
John Bunyan’s preaching was so brave that he was imprisoned. But he had the joy of his salvation. He preached to prisoners. They say people came to the edge of the prison to listen to him preach. The church unsuccessfully tried to silence him. He wrote the famous Pilgrims Progress.
 
Are you making the most of your walk with God?