Shepherds

Luke 2:8-20 (the message)

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them.

They were terrified.

The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

Seeing was believing.

They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

The story of the humble, baby Messiah just gets stranger...and more beautiful.

Who could be more appropriate to welcome this child who would turn the world upside down than scruffy, little-regarded shepherd?

These sheepherders had their lives interrupted by the appearance of an angelic choir. They heard, and went...they saw and praised...and when they "let loose" in the community, all the folks who heard them were impressed.

"God works in mysterious ways," the old saying goes.

The story of Jesus' birth surely proves this statement powerfully.

Who would have chosen the young, vulnerable girl? The transient sheepherders? A feed-trough cradle?

God, of course.

God doesn't just make the best of bad situations...God chooses bad situations, and unlikely heroes.

Be encouraged that he could use any of us, for anything, if we believe and learn to listen.

Prayer: God our Father, we pray that you would teach us humility, help us to see the good in every situation, and to believe that you will use us as we are. We give you thanks for the mysterious ways that you work in our world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

This weekend at SOTH! Media Sale sponsored by the Women of SOTH. All proceeds benefit their ministries of outreach into the local community. 8 AM to 4 PM at SOTH. Donations have been great, with over 2000 books available, plus cd's and dvd's. Don't miss it!

Worship this Sunday, 9 & 11 AM with SS for all ages at 10:15. We'd love to see you there!