Familiar Story
We are familiar with the Christmas story. We’ve heard of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the shepherds, and the angels.
We remember a very pregnant Mary accompanied by her betrothed, Joseph, traveled on a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. There, Mary gave birth to God’s Son, Jesus, in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
We also know shepherds watched their flocks on the hills surrounding Bethlehem, where they were visited by a heavenly host of angels that proclaimed the Messiah’s birth.
The angels told these men to go see the wonderful thing they announced. But what if they didn’t go? What if they dismissed the angle’s message and didn’t seek the Messiah?
Angels
The Bible tells us a multitude of Heavenly Hosts filled the sky the night Jesus Christ was born. We’re told the shepherds were afraid at the angels’ appearance. I’d be frightened, too, if an army of angels suddenly appeared in the sky.
Wouldn’t you?
One of the angels told the shepherds the news he shared was great.
He said it would bring joy to everyone. This wonderful news was the announcement of the Savior’s birth.
After the angels praised God because of Christ’s birth, they told the shepherds to go see what had happened for themselves.
Shepherds
We remember the shepherds left their flock of sheep, their livelihood, and went to Bethlehem. The City of David. Once they arrived, the shepherds found Baby Jesus in a manger. Just as the angels said they would.
However, and this is what I’d like for us to consider, the shepherds went. They did what the angels told them to do. The men didn’t hesitate, or cogitate. They did not form a committee to figure out the best way to get to Jesus.
The shepherds didn’t ponder what they should say when they found the baby. There wasn’t a vote to see who would lead the way. The shepherds simply got up and went.
After the men left their sheep, they went quickly into Bethlehem. They didn’t dawdle or procrastinate. Once they found the newborn baby, they told Mary and Joseph what the angels said to them in the field. Today a Savior has been born to you…He is Christ, the Lord.
Then the shepherds returned to their sheep, praised, and thanked God.
But What if the Shepherds Didn’t Go?
What if the shepherds didn’t leave their sheep unprotected and walk however many miles to Bethlehem? Would their lives be changed if they hadn’t searched for Jesus? Or would they be content to let the day of Christ’s birth pass by unnoticed?
They didn’t have to go, you know. The angels didn’t command them to go. They simply told the shepherds the glorious news. The Savior of the world had been born. Upon hearing the news, the shepherds decided to go and see for themselves. It was a message too good to pass up.
Your Turn
Like the shepherds, we have received the glorious message of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord and King.
Unlike the shepherds, we live this side of the cross. We know what it cost God to send his Son, Jesus, into our world to save us from our sins.
That right there should compel us all the more to go and tell those around us the wonderful news of a Savior who was born in Bethlehem.
A baby, yes. But the Son of God who lived a perfect, sinless life so he could be the Sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
As we reflect on Christmas and the birth of the baby in the manger who became the Savior on the cross, we too must seek the Messiah. We must leave what we are doing and go quickly to tell others the Good News of a Savior who came to seek and to save everyone who is lost. As we do, let us not forget to praise God for his most wonderful gift.
When the angels went away from them back 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. Luke 2:15-18 GNT
I wish you well.
Sandy
You can find another Christmas post I wrote here.
A non-Christian friend questioned why the innkeeper didn’t make room for a pregnant woman the night Jesus was born. That prompted me to go back and reread the Luke 2:1-22 passage.
Luke 2:6 says “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Hospitality was extremely important at this time – you were expected to take in family, friends, and strangers. There were no Hiltons and no inns, except perhaps in a major town like Jerusalem.
Joseph and Mary likely went to the home of a relative in Bethlehem. Most homes were one story, with a raised section for family living, potentially a spare room, and a lower level where the animals were brought in at night to keep them safe from thieves. Presumably, your cow or goat or donkey couldn’t climb the one step up to your bed in the shared living area and give you a goodnight kiss. In the animal section was a stone manger. You had to be quite rich to have a barn.
The idea that Jesus was born outside in a barn or stable is not Biblical either. Luke 2:12 says “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” It says nothing about a stable or being outside – just where the Baby was laid.
Many stories have developed around the Biblical narrative that even Christians take as supported by Scripture – inn, stable, three visitors who were kings who showed up with the shepherds (magi bearing 3 gifts, perhaps 1-2 years later).
My friend’s question prompted me to reread the Biblical narrative and separate what God said from what got added by men. I’m glad he asked.
It’s also likely Jesus’ birth occurred during the Feast of the Tabernacles (September) when all adult Jewish males were commanded to go to Jerusalem to celebrate. Room in Jerusalem and surrounding towns would have been in high demand. A few weeks afterwards, Joe and Mary could leave their provisional dwellings and get a place at a reasonable rate. In high season, folks make do.
This is definitely “a message too good to pass up.”
I hope I sm as fsithful as they were