Luke 2:15-20
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all thsee words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, sit had been told them.
The shepherds were filled with awe at the message the angels sang and went “with haste” to see the miracle they revealed. God chose the lowly shepherds to announce God’s son, and the shepherds left their sheep in a rush to find the baby. Imagine their reaction and excitement at rushing to Bethlehem, not an easy task since the city was crowded with people traveling for the census.
We typically make the holiday season a time of rushing – rushing to find gifts, decorate, bake, mail cards – the list continues. What if we challenged ourselves to rush to church or to help our neighbors to learn more about what God is revealing to us – to share the good news, “filling up ourselves and others?” God reveals himself to us daily; God fills us with comfort, love, forgiveness and peace. May we enjoy this Christmas season in a rush to fully see God in our lives, worship and adore him.
Prayer
Thank you, God for the gift of your son and for the angels that fill our lives daily. Amen
-Elise Barksdale