The Rest of the Story

T

alk radio hosts have a very devoted following.  No matter their activity, people will drop everything they are doing to catch up on the latest news and gossip.  In fact, some will go so far as to schedule their entire day around a particular show, letting nothing interfere or come between them and the latest juicy morsel of social and/or relevant news.  Several years ago, Paul Harvey’s talk show was listened to by millions, especially his segment entitled, “The Rest of the Story.”

The segment ran every day and went something like this.  Paul would give the latest news and in the middle of his report, he would introduce the first part of a story, generally about someone doing a good deed. He would stop the story in midstream and continue with the daily news.  However, he would always come back to his tale at the end of the broadcast and he always began the same way, “…and now for the rest of the story…”

So now it’s our turn to complete the story the angel began yesterday.  We left the shepherds in mid-message with the angel promising to share good news that would be good for all the people.  Let’s pick up where we left off and find out, along with the shepherds, the rest of the story.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Can’t you just see them, their mouths hanging open, their eyes opened wide, and their faces glowing as the angel continued his message?  And then, as if that wasn’t enough, the sky is suddenly and miraculously filled with a “great host” of angels all singing praises and glory to God.

The message was one of joy and delight.  A baby had been born, and not just any baby, but the promised Messiah, he whose coming was foretold by prophets hundreds of years before.  He is here, God’s promise of salvation has come, and the world will be forever changed because of this night.

The angel instructs the shepherds to search for the babe in Bethlehem, just as the prophet, Micah, had said.  It should come as no surprise to us that he who would call himself the Bread of Life would be born in a town whose name means House of Bread.  It should come as no surprise that he whom John would later call the Light of the World, would have his birth announced with the light of angels splitting the dark night and it should come as no surprise that God’s message, sent through the angels, would promise peace on earth by the one who would stand on the turbulent and stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee and whisper “Peace, be still!”

And so, having received the rest of the story, the shepherds leave their flocks and head straightway into Bethlehem to see firsthand the fulfillment of God’s promise and the angels’ message.  Won’t you join them as they gaze upon the rest of the story?