Why The Shepherds?

Luke 2:8-9 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

It didn’t matter that these guys were raising lambs to be sacrificed in the Temple, they were often accused of being thieves, unreliable and were not allowed to give testimony in court.

Why the shepherds? Why didn't the Angels make this exciting announcement to the religious leaders? Though the world frowned on these shepherds, God Almighty had a place in His grace and in His love for these dirty, defiled sinners.

Jesus came to save sinners. The Angels invited them to  meet the Christ Child. They accepted that invitation and they were saved.

The Gospel of salvation has been given to us. Jesus loves us in spite of what we are and what we’ve done.

The shepherds came away with a new song of praise in their hearts. We can sing their song when we believe on Jesus..

From The Manger To The Cross

The life of Jesus didn’t begin at Bethlehem. Jesus is before the moon. Try searching Him beyond Creation. The distance can’t be measured, because He and His Father have an infinite beginning---The Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end. After His virgin birth, we find Him in a manger.

One day when heaven was filled with His praises--- One day when sin was as black as can be. Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, Dwelt among men, my example is He.

Living He loved me, Dying He saved me; Buried, he carried my sins far away--- Rising, He justified freely forever---One day He’s coming, oh glorious day. -----J. Wilbur Chapman.

We celebrate the Birth of Christ because He’s the promised Messiah Who died on a cross for our sins. Those who believe on Him as their Lord and Savior will have eternal life. I wish everyone would believe but they won’t. Sadly, His own chosen people rejected Him.

Thank you, Father God, for your gift to the world. Thank you, Jesus, for willingly laying down your life for my salvation.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

When They Saw The Star

The Wise Men had spent the last two years following a star (Matt. 2:7,16). Along the way they probably faced perils and obstacles. The star stops over a humble house. Maybe they expected the Messiah to be in a palace because they had inquired of King Herod  first.

Matthew 2:10-11  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

The Wise Men found the King of kings in the home of a peasant, probably nothing more than a shack, and  in that humble setting  their lives were changed. It wasn't what they expected, but they came to worship and worship they did. They saw God in that shack. They saw God in Jesus.

These wise men received far more than they gave away. That’s the way it is with God. We can  never out give Him. Not very many try, but those who do discover His abundant supply for every need and blessings--stacked up and running over. God is good.

The Right Place And Time

Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ the prophet Micah declared that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

But Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth. It probably never entered their minds to go to Bethlehem. Travel was hard and treacherous in those days. An eighty mile trip would have been terribly hard on an expectant mother.

Luke 2:1,4  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David:

The Almighty God sees that His Son is born in the right place at the right time, even if He has to use a pagan king to make it happen.

Born in a manger—a feeding trough—made it easier for old shepherds to find Him. It made it easier for some old sinners to identify with Him and approach Him for salvation. No room in the Inn speaks to the rest of His life. Many still have no room for Jesus in their lives, in their hearts.  Do you?