Good morning,
Christmas is Saturday, December 25. It is time to focus on why we celebrate this event. This week we will look at the announcements that were made to Isaiah, Micah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.
From the very beginning it is a supernatural story. Only God could have arranged all the details to make it happen. But happen it did.
Today let us look at the announcement the Lord made to the shepherds.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God. That first sin is passed down to all men. Jesus Christ willingly gave up His heavenly home to come to earth to pay the debt for sin that mankind could not pay.
Luke 2 8-12 The angel of the Lord’s announcement to the shepherds
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Shepherds were not the elite of Israelite society. They were the lowest of classes. Yet God announces Jesus birth to them first! When the angel of the Lord announced the birth of Jesus, they were afraid. The angel brought good news. The angel tells them that in the city of David a child is born who is the Savior, Christ the Lord. Further, they are given a sign, the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.So what do the shepherds do? “…the shepherds said one to another, Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass…And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:15,16)
They went in obedience. They knew where to go and what they were looking for. They found Jesus.
These passages tell God’s plan. A virgin will conceive, bear a son, who will rule forever, named Jesus, to save the people from their sins. The first people God presented our Savior was to lowly shepherds.
Next week, we will explore the birth of Jesus.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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