Monday, December 11, 2023

         Luke 2 is the place where we turn to read the Christmas story.  Luke, a physician by training and trade, wrote the beautifully moving and poetic account of Jesus’ amazing and miraculous birth.  His words have been read by countless Christians in countless worship services through the ages.  We read them every year and we are always moved and blessed by the simple elegance and beauty of God’s Word.  We find Luke’s words on Christmas cards and even recited by Linus in the beloved “Charlie Brown Christmas.”  In Luke 2:20, he wrote, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”  By the time we read verse 20, Jesus has been born in Bethlehem.  The Father has brought forth His Son to be the long-awaited Messiah to save the people from their sins and disobedience.
         The shepherds have been told the good news by “an angel of the Lord.”  They were seized by fear and terror upon seeing the sight of this sky-splitting angelic image.  Let’s face it...not everybody sees an angel every day.  The majority of folks will live a lifetime and never see an angel.  But such a sight would leave us paralyzed by fright.  By the time we read Luke 2:20, the shepherds have seen and adored the baby Jesus.  They have visited His birthplace and witnessed the greatest birth in world history.  Their behavior after seeing Jesus, recorded in verse 20, teaches us some important lessons to apply to our lives today as we anticipate Christmas Day in only two weeks.
         First, Luke says “they returned.”  We want to take Christ and His good news with us into our daily lives.  Look for ways to reach people for Christ.  The good news of Jesus’ birth is to be lived out, savored and enjoyed.  The coming of Christ is to impact and surround our lives each day.  The calendar does not stop on December 25.  Another day is coming.  We renew and remember the Christmas story every year so we can carry it forward as we return to our daily lives and activities. 
         Second, Luke wrote that these shepherds glorified God.  We live to bring glory to God.  We live to reflect Him and His ways.  Just as the moon reflects the sun, we are to reflect and reveal Christ by how we live.  Our mission is to bring glory to Him—in the home, the workplace, where we shop, where we live and wherever we may go.  All life is to bring glory to God.  The heavens and skies declare His glory and so too does all creation.  As we remember the birth of Jesus once again, we are reminded to bring glory to God by and through all things. 
        Third, these shepherds praised God.  An encounter with Jesus should elevate our praise and worship.  We should thank and bless Him for all that He has done for us.  He is worthy of all the praise, blessing and honor that we can bring to Him. Be intentional about praising God through the day.  Praise Him for sending His Son to save us and to pay the price for every sin we have ever committed.  Praise Him for blessings and the moments of each day that you live and share with others.     
         And fourth, like the shepherds, we want to remember Christ every moment of every day.  Do not turn from Him or trade anything for Him.  Live for Him.  Think often of Him throughout the day.  Speak about Him.  Share your faith.  Live a changed life because the Son of God has changed you—if you know Him by faith and trust.  Live a surrendered life!  Recall and perhaps even pray yourself the words of John Wesley’s famous prayer... Lord, put me where You will;
Put me to doing or put me to suffering.
Let me be used by You or laid aside for You;
Exalted for You or brought low for You.
Let me be full or let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely yield all things to Your disposal.
You are mine and I am Yours;
Amen.
            Remember you can share our worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.  Begin inviting people to enjoy our Christmas musical, “The Advent of Christmas,” on Sunday, December 17 at 5:00pm.  And invite others to join you for our Christmas Eve service at 5:00pm on December 24.  Have a wonderful Monday and give thanks for the miracle of Christmas!