REFLECTIONS

December 23rd, 2012

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:17-18

Spreading the Word

  There had been many crisp and clear nights before, but there was something special about this one. The sky had never been clearer or the air more calm. The stars performed a ballet in the sky without disturbing the stillness or quiet of the night. Then the quiet awakened into startling brightness and a heavenly voice announced, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12)

And from the stillness a wave of voices began to sing, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14NASU)  The shepherds huddled in awe, struck by the message they heard and the Scripture it recalled:

“But you, Bethlehem… out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God… And he will be their peace. (Micah 5:2, 4)

Then the quiet returned, but the message still rang in their ears. It called them to go see what had happened. When they found the Christ Child, little could they believe that here in such a lowly place lay the newborn King foretold so long ago. Though he was only a baby they adored him, they worshiped him, then they rushed away to spread the word to others. And all who heard it were amazed by the shepherds’ message.

How exciting it must have been spreading the word! Lowly shepherds became heralds of the Good News. They had no idea how many other lives they would touch; but without them, we may not have known the beautiful story of God’s birth into the world.

As we celebrate this glorious birth, we are called to seek the Christ Child. And when we find him, we can become heralds too. We will find the joy of spreading the word no matter how lowly our position may be. Those who hear it will be amazed at what we tell them, for the story we tell brings forth the joy of Christmas.

And we have no idea how many other lives will be touched by it.

 Merry Christmas

 You are the light of the world,

Richard+

www.reflectingthesavior.org


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