Hustle and Bustle
We’re headed into the home stretch. The final gifts you need are being purchased, unless you’re a last-minute shopper, in which case you may just be starting. For many of you, gifts may even be wrapped and placed beneath the tree—we refer to you as the overachievers. Decorations are definitely in place and the family visits are lined up. All that’s left is prepping meals and grabbing those small items you need to fill up the stockings. For those “lucky” parents who made the decision to put that dreaded elf out, well, you’ve still got work to do each day. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of waiting, watching, and maybe, just maybe, being able to breathe and enjoy it all. Truth be told, that last part isn’t happening. If we were good enough to have it all together, we’re probably still sitting around wondering what we forgot, when in reality we may have missed what really matters.
Gentle Reminders
As I just said, it’s easy to see how we get caught up with the chaos of family gatherings, work events, Christmas parties, shopping, working, and more that we miss the reason we celebrate Christmas. So, why do you celebrate Christmas? Take a minute. I think it is important to answer that question.
While you’re thinking about that, I want to shift gears for a minute. I’ve been a pastor now for almost 15 years. Before that I served in different areas of student ministries and even worked with kids at the YMCA. So, most of my jobs have revolved around watching over people. With that in mind, whenever someone meets me or gets to know me a little bit and they hear my last name is Shephard, they almost always pause and say, “That’s very fitting.” As a matter of fact, that is interesting. I truly believe that God has plans for us in life and it’s up to us to follow them. It’s possible He knew that I could be slow to catch on at times, so He must’ve tried to make mine a little more obvious. Keeping in line with that thought, I suppose it would only make sense for me to talk about the shepherds in Luke 2.
The True Story
Our “true story” picks up with Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem only to find that there’s no lodging available except for a barn, with a manger tucked inside. Mary gave birth to her Son, just as she was told, and in this moment, everything changed. Just outside of town, in the nearby fields were a group of shepherds guarding their flock at night. When suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared before them whose light shined so brightly it terrified the shepherds.
Let’s stop here for a second.
These shepherds were not scared easily. They protected their sheep from “lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Well, I don’t know about the tigers, but lions and probably wolves and maybe bears. Truthfully, the animals don’t matter, the point is, they’re brave. Yet, in this moment, they were scared and unsure of what was about to happen. Fortunately, the angel had Good News. News that would change the world.
I’m sure you’re reading this on the edge of your seat now, probably wondering what exactly was this news. Well, I’m glad you asked, because here it is, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12 NIV). This was followed by what I could only imagine was some incredible praise and worship, and then the angels were gone. From there, the shepherds decided to go to find this Messiah in Bethlehem and there they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. It was just as the angel had said.
This was it! The Good News! The best news anyone could have heard, witnessed, or read about. It was unfolding right before their eyes. Prior to this point, the shepherds would usually just sit back, keeping to themselves, quietly protecting their sheep, but this was different. I can only begin to imagine the thoughts and questions running through their minds in the midst of all of this, and yet, one question seems to stand out above anything else. What do we do with this Good News?
It was in that moment that the shepherd's role changed. Instead of just being watchers of the sheep, they began sharing. Scripture says, "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). The first thing that jumps out is that all who heard it were amazed. Why were they amazed you ask? Because it was AMAZING news! The Son of God, the Messiah, had been born! This news would be the very thing that would change the world. And just like that, it changed the shepherd's hearts, as they returned to their flock, glorifying and praising God. At that time, they really had no clue what it all meant. Yet, here we are, over 2000 years later. We have the vantage point to see how this True Story panned out.
Back to the Question
Earlier I asked you a question: Why do you celebrate Christmas? Regardless of what your answer may have been, I hope your answer looks a little different now. I hope that just like the shepherds when faced with the truth of the Good News in the Christmas story, your perspective shifted. That it moved off of the hustle and bustle of the season and towards the peace that is only found in our Savior. I hope that you’re challenged like the shepherds to go out and share. Share what God has done in and through your life. Not only that but as you remember the reason we celebrate Christmas, it changes the way you praise and worship. As unreal as it all may seem, it is a True Story.
