When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

- Luke 2:15

Have you ever considered what it must have been like to be shepherd at the time of Jesus birth? Shepherds were in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night.

And out of nowhere angels appear! Can you imagine sitting quietly in the dark watching your sheep and then “wa bam” out of nowhere these bright beings appear with a message for you?

In Luke 2:10-19, (ESV) it says, “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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

      “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Just imagine what that must have been like. Shepherds coming to see your child, who will save the world! Angels appearing to share the good news! And then the Scriptures say, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Mary was reflecting on what God had told her. In Luke 1:26-33, when an angel appeared to Mary telling her she had found favor with God and she would bear a son, Jesus, who would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and whose kingdom would never end.

God’s plans don’t always make sense to us. But you can trust He is at work on your behalf, whatever you are going through.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 (ESV) says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When you feel alone, forgotten, forsaken and uncertain about what God is doing in your life, remember Mary and Joseph. They, too, felt confused, yet God used them to bring salvation to the world.

If God allowed His Son, Jesus, to be born in the hay and placed in a manger, we must conclude that His ways are not ours.

But, while we may not understand them, we can trust them because God reached down to a fallen world, rescued each of us through the grace of His Son, Jesus, and restored all who would receive Him to a right relationship with Him.

Or as the hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for coming for me. Thank you for your great sacrifice and love that you would leave heaven and your Father in heaven to be born here on earth, live a perfect life, to be crucified, dead and buried and resurrected so that my sins, my shame would be forgiven. Thank you, Lord. I love you. Amen.

With Love,
Sherry Shepherd