December 18th

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Nowadays, it seems we are always looking for ways to make occasions special. Whether it be asking someone to go to the homecoming dance or prom, celebrating a birthday, getting engaged, announcing the coming birth of a child, or the more current occasion of couples having gender reveal parties for the upcoming birth of their child. As exciting and memorable as these moments can be, they cannot top the experience the shepherds lived through as explained in Luke chapter 2.

As the shepherds were tending to their flocks in the darkness of night, “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were filled with fear.” What a surprising moment! Fascinating to think that God chose to give this announcement of one of the greatest events in the history of the world to these lowly, socially and religiously unacceptable shepherds; an anonymous group of men tending sheep. It is fitting that it would be the shepherds.

God’s message of salvation is for all people. And as terrified as the shepherds must have been, the news proclaimed was not one of judgement, it was a message of mercy. “I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people: for to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

God sent His son to be our savior, my savior and your savior. I imagine as we accept his ultimate gift of unconditional love, choose to have a personal relationship with our Lord and savior, and live our lives in a way to share this unconditional love with others, that a “multitude of heavenly host” can be heard in our lives “praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.”
 
Lord, may we always remain focused on your unconditional love for us and seek out ways to share this love with others that they to may build an everlasting relationship with you in this season and for all time.