As is my Christmas tradition, I deviate from the normal and go to what is probably my favorite "Bible Story."
The Book of Luke. Chapter 2...Verses 1 through 20.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!" So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
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I was listening to the pastor read this passage one Christmas many years ago, when a question hit me.
What happened to the shepherds?
I mean, the one God. The creator of the universe. GOD, has sent his personal messenger to YOU to tell you that His Son has been born. Now I don't know about you, but I think that would change your life forever. What happened to them after they left the manger? We know they "returned, glorifying and praising God" but the story seems to end there. Did they ever encounter Jesus again? Did they continue to spread the word of what they'd seen? Or did they just go back to tending the sheep as they'd always done?
As I was typing this, the Lord answered my question. I suppose it's the same question we have to ask ourselves. What did we do after we first got the message about Jesus. The announcement may not have been quite as spectacular for us as it was for the shepherds, nonetheless, God has sent a message to us at some point in our lives. What have we done with it?
(Not as much as I should have I'm sure..)
Glory to God in the highest. And on Earth, peace and goodwill to men.
Merry Christmas to all...
Wayne and Misty.
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