Glad Tidings!
Thursday,
the second week of Advent
Today’s Readings:
Psalm 23:1 / Luke 2:8-14 / Ephesians 1:22
The story of the angel of the Lord appearing to the
shepherds who were tending their flocks under the open skies, is a very easy one
for me to imagine. A few years back my family
and I were camping in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at our favorite camp and we
decided to do a little high elevation star gazing. One night about 10:00 pm we hopped in the Suburban and drove up the narrow road to the parking lot of the Johnsville Historic
Ski Bowl, the site of some of the original long boarding events in the state of
California. When we reached the lot, I
noticed that there were other vehicles parked throughout the area, so I turned
off the lights and navigated by the reflection of the stars. As we opened the doors, we all made a
collective sigh as we were totally overwhelmed by the bright beauty of the
overhead stars that seemed to be within arm’s reach!
The sight was simply amazing and it immediately brought my
thoughts to that night when the “glory of
the Lord shone around them” (Luke 1:9 NKLV) in the countryside near the little
town of Bethlehem. What was truly
arresting to the senses was that the more you looked at the sky, the more stars
you saw! Then as I viewed it through my
camera and telephoto lens set on a tripod, the vision was absolutely
spellbinding! It was almost like the
whole sky was one bright light that seemed to shine from eternity. I would imagine that this was similar to the
shepherd’s sight of the “multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men’” (Luke 1:13-14 NKJV)
It is very significant that the shepherds were the first to
receive the announcement of the birth of their Savior. These weren’t just ordinary shepherds, but
those commissioned to watch over the sacrificial lambs for the temple in
Jerusalem. They were the protectors of
the perfect lambs to be sacrificed for the covering of the people’s sins each
year. Isn’t it appropriate that these individuals be among the first to pay
homage to the Lamb of God who would offer up Himself as the complete and final
sacrifice to not just cover, but totally remove our sins, once and for all?
The shepherds also represented the common man, not the
intellectuals, the rich or religious leaders.
Jesus came for all men (not just a
select few) and is easily accessible to all who come to Him. It is also important to note that the
patriarchs of our faith were all shepherds.
In fact, Moses and David were actually called out from keeping sheep to
rule God’s people. Later in His life,
Jesus would refer to Himself as “The good
shepherd” who “giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 KJV)
When the angel appeared to the men out in the field in the
middle of the night, he instantly calmed their fears and reported that he was
bringing “good news… that will fill
everyone with joy.” (Luke 2:10 God’s Word ©) He was excitedly declaring that “I am not come to declare the judgments of
God, but his merciful loving-kindness, the subject being a matter of great
joy!” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible) The angel was pronouncing Jesus’ life
changing task of providing a way for there to be once again, peace between God
and man. (See: Romans 5:1)
Our story also records that the word of the Lord came to
those who were “abiding in the field,
keeping watch…” (Luke 2:8 KLV) How
important it is for each of us to abide in the fields of our lives and keep
watch for the directions and leadings of God.
This is the perfect time of year to take a look for and consider
removing the unnecessary things in your life that may distract you from being
attentive to the plans and purposes that our heavenly Father may have for
you.
I would encourage you to take the opportunity this week to
step outside late one night and look up into the heavens and view the glories
that present themselves before you. As you
do, think about the shepherds out in their fields and listen intently for the
message God has for you! Have a great
day! Stay in tune to His Word, and keep
asking yourself… “Whose bright light am I
expecting to see and hear today?”
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