Luke 2:15

“Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the angel has told us about.”

Once again, we have people, going about their everyday.  The Lord reveals Himself and makes a great announcement.  The shepherds heard Him and moved into action.

What a challenge, once again, these words are to me.  To hear a word from the Lord, and then move out!!!  Start walkin’!!!  Put your feet to your faith.  The greater news is that He moves with us.  He goes before us, behind us, and walks beside us.

The shepherds couldn’t contain their joy as they began to share the good news with those they met.

Luke 2:9

“And the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone ‘round about them…And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts…”

God has always been an advocate for the lowly and humble.  So, it is no surprise to me that the first big announcement of His Son’s birth was made to the shepherds.  In the stillness and quietness of the night as the shepherds were going about their routine, the greatest announcement of all time was made.  This was a celebration!  And the simple and humble shepherds got the first invitation.

Jesus spoke so often about the “last shall be first,” or “turning the other cheek,” “pray in your closet,” “Put other’s first.”  He elevated those actions that the world would see as lowly.  He was always a champion for the simple and lowly.

Be encouraged.  God continues to reveal Himself in our daily days—in our routine.  He is there in the quiet of our night—inviting us to come celebrate the birth of the king.

Luke 2:8

“There were shepherds…keeping watch over their flocks at night.” 

I’ve done a little reading about sheep– enough to know that they are not the brightest of animals.  In fact, quite frankly they are dumb.  They are completely and totally dependent upon their shepherd, their leader.  It is my understanding, as I read about sheep, that if there were no one to guide them, they would walk over to the edge of a cliff and fall of.  There is no sense of direction—no sense of danger.  Total and complete reliance on the shepherd for their well being.

Jesus has been referred to as the Great Shepherd.  That’s a very lovely thought until you realize we are the dumb, stupid sheep.  We are the ones who lose our way if it weren’t for him.  We are the ones completely and totally dependent upon Him for our well being.  Without him, we too fall.  With Him, he keeps us safe and protected—loved and cared for.

Luke 2:7

“She laid him in a manger.”

A manger is a trough—an animal feeding container.  Therefore, it makes sense that this manger was in a stable.  In this stable were animals—maybe some cows, sheep, a dog, some birds, hay—the usual stable stuff.  A very lovely picture for a stable or a barn, but not so lovely a picture for a birthing room of the King.  However, this is where the journey of Mary and Joseph brought them—to a lowly and simple stable.  This is where Mary would give birth to the Son of God.

And yet, this is so like God.  He doesn’t reveal Himself in the mighty, but in the meek.  He doesn’t show His power in the greatest, but in the least.  He transforms a stable into a holy sanctuary.  He transforms a barn into the royal birthplace of a King.  God never misses a chance to remind us that He welcomes our simplicity and lowliness.  For it is in the least of things, that God is the Greatest.  He still transforms our woundedness into our victories.

Luke 2:7

“There was no room for them in the inn.”

Talk about the last straw.  Mary traveled all this way, pregnant, due any moment and they don’t even have a reservation.  This is so not funny.  I imagine Bethlehem noisy and crowded, filled with others travelers who have come to register their families.  Along comes this meek and humble young man, with his very great with child wife.  Quietly and unobtrusively, they made their way from inn to inn, only to be met with the same response—there’s just no room.  Joseph didn’t go ‘busting’ into each inn shouting, “Son of God, comin’ through.”  Gently and meekly, Joseph diligently sought a place for he and Mary.  And in the hustle and bustle of the city, the innkeeper missed the chance to welcome the Son of God in his home.

How often, in the midst of our noise and chaos, do we perhaps miss God.  He’s not shouting to noticed.  He quietly and unobtrusively asks us if we have room for Him.  Very often, we need to step out of our chaos to hear Him.  Only then can we respond by saying, “Yes, Lord.  I have room for you.  I welcome you into my heart.”