Perspectives

When the Lord of Glory came to this earth some 2000 plus years ago; the Bible says that He was born in a stable in Bethlehem. It was more likely a rock-hewn cave on the hillside of Bethlehem overlooking the field of the Shepherds. I am told that the church where the cave is has a door so low that all must stoop to enter. It must have been a humbling experience that everyone should approach the infant Jesus on their knees.

Time to take our Bible and check out this hard to believe story: a story that the Holy Spirit must help us to accept by faith that Jesus was indeed the Holy Son of God. Luke chapter 2 verse 7 tells us that Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus, gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Go on to verse 8: That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. All of a sudden an angel appeared among them, now the whole countryside shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were filled with fear not knowing what was happening. Continue reading verse 10: The angel reassures them. “Don’t be afraid he said.” I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and that is for everyone!” That means you and it means me.

Verse 11 is great since the angel talking again. “The Saviour, yes the Messiah, the Lord of Glory has been born tonight in Bethlehem!” In verse 12 the shepherds hearts exploding with excitement and anticipation; work up enough nerve and ask the angel, “How will we recognize this Child, this Messiah?” Oh the angel knows their thoughts and remembers that they are human with limited understanding. “Here is your clue, you will find this Baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a manger!” Now the heavens came alive, as though heaven itself had burst on the earth. Quickly! Look at verse 13: This angel that was talking to them was joined by a vast host of other angels, in fact the armies of heaven were there praising God.

Verses 14-16: Can you imagination what that would have been like, to hear the armies of heaven singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth for all those pleasing Him?” When they finished singing that huge army of angels returned to heaven. The shepherds must have been befuddled, probably looking at each other, wondering, and not understanding what they had just experienced. Then one shepherd whose knees were still able to support his weight said, “Come; let us go to Bethlehem! Let us go see this with our own eyes; I am not sure I believe everything that just happened here. We have seen angels, heard about the Lord of Glory. Can it really be that God has brought to pass what the prophets of old said that Bethlehem would some day be the birthplace of Jesus?

Verse 16: This verse will end this month’s lesson, or, perhaps it might just be the very beginning. Those shepherds did not have four wheelers; they probably did not even have donkeys. I kind of think they had only their feet to carrying them, because the Bible shows that they ran to the village and found their way to where Mary and Joseph had made the bed for the Baby Jesus. And to their amazement, they found the Baby Jesus, lying in the manger, just as the angel had told them.

Want the best Christmas gift ever? I can only share what I have received. This little Child, this gift from God, came that all of us could have our sins forgiven. The proof that we are Christians comes from the instinctive cry of our heart. When we are distressed, worried and desperate, our spirit cries out to God. The moment our hearts cry for God’s help reaches the heart of God; He will give us the assurance that indeed we are the Children of God. We must remember that when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman to buy our freedom from the slavery of sin. Oh the Wonder of it All… have a wonderful Christmas.

Would you pray this prayer with me… “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my hearts desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen