Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Shepherds

No one in Bethlehem knew the Messiah had been born. Everyone was busy, going their own way. This morning I was listening to "Labor of Love" by Jill Phillips. A beautiful song. It did make me wonder if no one heard the cries of pain from Mary. Did God purposely blind the eyes and deafen the ears of people?

But the angels appeared to the shepherds, out in the field watching their sheep. Can you imagine what it would have been like to see the night sky filled with a host of angels, singing out and announcing the birth of Jesus! But wait...if it was a host of angels singing in the sky, wouldn't earth vibrate with the song and celebration? Were the shepherds really the only ones that heard the song? We have no record of anyone else hearing it.

Jesus was born in a stable, slept in a manger, and now the first ones to receive the news of His birth was not to the grandparents, friends, or neighbors. Oh no, it was a few dirty shepherds that smelled like their sheep. Shepherds were not the royalty of mankind, but the low-down, dirty workers.

For me, there is only one reason for this, so that I, who also am low down can know that His birth is for me and all sinners. Jesus was born to be our Savior, Redeemer. He wasn't just for the wealthy, or kings, or pastors or priests. He is for the poor, wretched, broken, and hopeless.

The message rings out to us all...Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth good will toward man.
Amazing God we serve. Thank you Jesus for leaving Glory to come to earth in human skin to live among us, so that we may live eternally!!

God bless you

No comments: