How Willl I Know?

 

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uke 2:12 simply says, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” God never sends us crossed signals. He is not the God of confusion.  This can be readily seen in the angel’s message to the shepherds.  They were looking for a specific child, dressed in a specific way, lying in a specific location. 

 

God’s instructions are always specific.  Even Abraham, who was told to leave his home and travel to a country God would show him, had specific instructions.  Although God did not tell him exactly where he was going, His instructions were very specific.  In Genesis 12 we see that God told Abraham to leave his country, his people, and his family and to go to the place God would show him.  

 

Moses was given specific instructions on how to construct the Tabernacle in the wilderness.  Noah was given specific instructions on building the ark. The list could go on and on.   One thing, however, is certain.  When God communicates His will and message to man, there is no confusion, only clarity and specifics coupled with the assurance that His plans are carried out to the letter. 

 

Today, if you are wondering what God is doing, if you find yourself trying to make sense of the confusion around you, stop!  Be still and know that the Lord is God.  He is not in the business of confusing you but He is continually working to bring the purpose He has for you into focus when the time is right. 

 

The shepherds in that field received exact instructions on how to find the infant messiah and they found him just as the angel had said.  The voice of God cuts through the chaotic chatter of this world.  It resonates within the heart of the believer and always points the way God has chosen.  Are you listening intently for God’s voice today? 

Let's Go!

 

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f someone wrote you a check for a million dollars, if, suddenly, you came into money that allowed you to pay off all your existing debt, or if your boss walked in and gave you a 50% raise, what would you do?  Probably the first thing you’d do after you picked yourself up off the floor would be to call someone, your best friend or a family member, and tell them what had just happened.  There is something infectious about good news.  We get it and we want to infect everyone else with it.  The shepherds outside of Bethlehem were no exception! 

 

In Luke 2: 15, we read: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

Notice the first two words the shepherds say to one another, “Let’s go.”  After hearing the good news about the birth of Christ, they can’t stay where they are.  They have to go and see God’s work and along the way tell everyone what has happened. 

 

This is just a foreshadowing of what Jesus will tell his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  The story of the Good News only began in Bethlehem.  The shepherds ran to the manger to see Jesus and they made sure everyone knew the story. 

 

Have you ever stopped to think that when we tell others of Jesus, we are following in the footsteps of those shepherds so long ago?  The good news of Jesus Christ is not something that can be kept secret.  It will be evident, not only in our words, but in the way we think, act, speak, and live.  In fact, people will be able to tell far more about us by our actions than by our words. 

 

Wherever you are today, at work, school, shopping, the hospital, visiting a friend, or on vacation, you have the same opportunity as those shepherds.  Are you sharing the good news of Jesus by your words and actions?  Does the good news of his coming and his salvation burn within your heart?  Can you say with the shepherds, “Let’s go”?  I trust you can! 

Terrified

 

“…[A]nd they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9)  That pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it?  The shepherds were beyond scared; they were completely immobilized, afraid to move, uncertain of what they did seeing and hearing, not know which way to turn.  These men were used to facing wild animals and thieves both bent on harming the sheep.  They knew what it was like face death and to overcome their fear in order to protect the flock.  But when faced with the presence of angels and the glory of God, they were completely undone. 

 

As we will see tomorrow, the angel’s message is first one of comfort and then great news.  God understands that there are times in life when we are terrified.  Economic difficulties loom on the horizon, sudden illness or death visit us, unforeseen difficulties at work broadside us and our first reaction is one of sheer panic.  We shut down, grow terrified, and haven’t a clue what to do.  This often leads to paralysis in our walk with God.  We are terrified of him and what he might do to us and we find ourselves in the shepherds’ place with plenty of fear and precious little courage. 

 

It is at times like these that God whispers to us not to be afraid.  The words, “fear not” or their equivalents appear in the scriptures some 365 times, enough for each day of the year.  I have to wonder that if God placed so much importance on calming my fears, he must understand and know that fear is part of the warp and woof of human existence. 

 

But it should come as no surprise that when the shepherds are paralyzed by fear, the good news comes that the Prince of Peace, the one who would dispel all fear, lies only a short distance away.  In the not-to-distant future, this infant will tell his disciples not to be afraid as he comes to them walking on the water.  He will also tell his followers not to worry and not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid.  Jesus, the peace maker, came to eradicate the fear in men’s hearts so that they could have a right relationship with their heavenly father. 

 

Today you may find yourself in the field with the shepherds, afraid and terrified of the circumstances around you.  However, I would ask you to look very closely within the passage and see that God is present and is working in the very circumstances that cause us fear.  This means he is in control and that the news he has for us is good news, full of peace and hope.  Remember, if you are afraid today, take courage and place your faith in him who said, “Do not be afraid.” 

Basking in the Light

 

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ur house on Main Street underwent many transformations.  Every time our family grew, the house grew right along with it.  Every few years, or so it seemed, it was time to rip out something, rearrange several rooms, or add something to the house.  My mom and dad loved the end result but living through a remodel was, shall we say, challenging. 

 

One of these remodels provided my brother and me with a new room.  Our sister, Heather, needed her own space so she took our old bedroom, and the guest bedroom was transformed into a new bedroom, complete with new closets and a desk.  The carpet was royal blue, and the wallpaper was a vibrant mixture of orange, blue, white, black, and yellow stripes.  It was very pretty and fun to see.  I remember our first night in the new room.  My brother and I had no problem falling asleep.  But the next morning, we learned just how “vibrant” that new wallpaper was. 

 

Mom hit the lights at 7 a.m. sharp but, with all those bright colors, our closed eyelids provided no protection.  One minute I was snoozing in a velvety blanket of darkness and the next I was hit with a wave of light that jolted me into consciousness.  I opened my eyes and for a brief moment I didn’t know where I was.  Nothing looked familiar and I wondered if perhaps I was dreaming. 

 

I believe this is the way the shepherds felt when the angel appeared to them.  Until that moment, everything had been routine.  The hills looked the same, the conversations were the same, the lowing of the sheep sounded the same, it was pretty much business as usual.  Then suddenly, from nowhere, the image of something they had never seen appeared before them.  What’s more, it spoke and there was light everywhere. 

 

Luke records this for us in Luke 2 9b “…and the glory of the Lord shone around them…” Can you say hit the lights?  Just imagine how shocked these men were.  They were catapulted into reality and I’m sure they wondered if they were seeing things or even dreaming.  But notice that this light was all around them.  It dispelled all the darkness and left them only basking in the light of God’s glory.  How fitting this is.  The first thing created was light and the angel was announcing the birth of the “light of the world.” 

 

No matter where you are on life’s road today, I want you to grasp this truth.  The light of God’s glory dispels all darkness.  Wherever he is, there is light. Light to show you the way, light to dispel your fear, light to provide comfort, and light to assure that we don’t walk in darkness.  John said it best, that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.  Are you basking in God’s light today? 

Do You See What I See?

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o the shepherds are in the fields with their sheep and it is dark outside.  There are no street lights. No glaring headlights from the nearby Interstate reflect on them, and the lights of the city are far away.  The shepherds are gathered around the glow of their fire, talking of the day’s events, sharing their hopes and dreams and frustrations with each other, preparing to face the long, dark night ahead. 

 

But in a flash, everything changes.  In Luke 2:9a we read these few words, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them…”  There in the darkness, in the remoteness of those fields, God sent his messenger to share the good news of Christ’s birth. I’m sure the shepherds wondered what was going on and if they were seeing things.  I imagine none of them spoke, afraid the others may not be seeing this strange site and afraid to mention it for fear of being accused of hallucinating or worse! 

 

And yet, all of them did see it.  The darkness around them suddenly grew bright and God shared with them the wonderful news that his promise had been fulfilled.  This is just like God, isn’t it?  When we think we have been forgotten, when the darkness is all around us, when we feel abandoned or rejected, just at the proper time God shows up.  Everything takes on a different look as God reveals to us the wonderful promises and plans he has for us. 

 

Although on the fringes of man’s society, the shepherds were squarely in the center of God’s plan.  He knew where they were and he knew that they, above all others, would take his message to heart, accept his invitation to see the Messiah, and spread the good news to all they met along the way. 

 

This is what God still looks for today.  Will you accept his invitation to come to Christ?  Will you respond to him with the heart of a shepherd? Remember, it is in the dark that God’s presence is felt the most.  Is it dark where you are today?   

Stuck in a Rut

 

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et up.  Go to work. Work all day. Come home. Go to bed. Get up. Do it all over again.  Sound familiar?  Life seems like this at times, doesn’t it?  We fall into the same routine and we basically hit the automatic pilot button as we go from one day to another.  Monday looks like Tuesday looks like Wednesday, well you get the picture.  We simply seem to go through the motions and then we wonder what happened and where the week went. 

 

Today’s passage paints just this picture.  We have spent the last several days concentrating on Mary and Joseph and their journey from Nazareth.  Today we look at the other people who play a part in the Christmas story.  Not only is God working in the lives of Mary and Joseph, he is also working in the lives of ordinary, every-day people like you and me, preparing them to receive the good news of the coming of Jesus and of the fulfillment of the promise God made all those many years ago. 

 

Luke 2:8 simply reads, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” Shepherds.  In the time of Christ, these were the lowliest of the low.  They had very little if any social standing.  They were uneducated, poor, and had very few prospects in life.  Their job was to work with sheep, dumb, stubborn animals that were helpless, defenseless, weak, and prone to doing things their own way.  And yet, here these men are, faithfully discharging their duties and notice that the passage tells us it was night.   

 

So, what is so great about shepherds?  They are loyal, faithful, compassionate, caring; the list goes on and on.  It should come, then as no surprise, that God would reveal the birth of Jesus to ones such as these.  Jesus will say of himself that he is “the good shepherd.”  He will also refer to us as sheep and if you read the description above, you will see that he is right. 

 

Jesus entire ministry can be summed up with his words, “the last shall be first.”  What better way to begin this ministry than by announcing the birth of the Messiah to those who were considered to be the “last” rung on society’s ladder. 

 

And so we leave them here, in the fields, taking care of their flocks, unaware that in a brief few moments, their lives will be changed forever.  Jesus is already in the cradle not very far away.  The shepherds have settled down for the night.  But something is about to happen, something they never expected, and something they will never forget.  Who knows what God has in store for you today? Are you ready to find out? 

No Room

 

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xpectant parents the world over go through the same ritual as the time for the birth of their child draws ever nearer.  Baby clothes are bought and stored away, a plethora of “must-have” toys are purchased, and the all-important crib is selected, taken home, and assembled.  The nursery is prepared with a fresh coat of paint, a rocking chair, a bassinette, a changing table and whatever else the soon-to-be parents can fit into the room.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. also get into the act and before long, enough items have been purchased and stocked to supply the young couple and their child well into first year of life if not further. 

 

As if this weren’t enough, parties are given in honor of the couple and more gifts are showered upon them.  The preparation for the arrival of the newborn child gets underway extremely early and the hardest part is waiting for the child to show up so all these things can be used. 

 

The last half of Luke 2:7 stands in stark contrast to today’s ritual of preparing for the arrival of a newborn. Luke tells us “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Instead of a nursery, Mary had a stable. Instead of a crib, Mary had a manger.  Instead of new clothes, Mary used strips of cloth.  Instead of family and friends, Mary had only herself and Joseph.  And yet, unknown to the world, the Messiah, the King of Kings had been born. God’s promise was fulfilled. 

 

Instead of making everything perfect for the child, God made the child perfect for us. In that manger, nestled in the hay, was the bread of life.  Bethlehem means “house of bread” so how fitting that the one who would bring us spiritual manna should be born there.   

 

Mary and Joseph used a stable because there was no room anywhere in town.  And yet, shepherds, wise men, the local town’s people, and millions of people since have found room in their hearts for the Messiah.  And how about you?  Is there room in your heart today for the child born in Bethlehem?