Luke 2:15-18, “When the angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. 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.”
It seemed like just another ordinary night for those lowly shepherds, as they watched over their flocks. Little did they know that they were about to have an extraordinary encounter as Heaven invaded earth and angels brought, ‘good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’ That joy, still available today, does not originate from the excitement of gifts, the abundance of feasts, or the merriment of parties but from the news that, ‘a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord’ (Luke 2:11).
The shepherds joyfully received the invitation to pursue the Prince of Peace, even though they knew that all they were to see was a baby in an animal’s feeding trough. They were convinced in their hearts that what the angels said was true, “a Saviour has been born to you.” They did not wait to see Him perform a miracle, preach a sermon or answer their prayer before they believed. And with simple faith they spread the word about what they had heard and seen.
What a challenge – how many of us are content with His presence alone? Often, what we want are His presents – His gifts. We often seek His hands and not His heart. But here, the poor and lowly in society – those who lacked treasures on this earth – treasured His presence more than any physical blessing that they might have desired from the long-awaited Messiah.
Jesus Christ is the centre of Christmas; without Him there would be no Christmas. So, this Christmas, prioritise and practice the presence of God in your meditation and every conversation.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the most priceless Gift – Your Son Jesus Christ. This Christmas, help me to treasure Your presence knowing that You are with me, amen.