Action. The shepherds heard the news, but they didn’t stop there. They took action. Read Luke 2:15. When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.15.NASB They heard the news and were given instructions and how did they respond? They took action immediately. They left the sheep and headed straight to find the baby that the angels spoke about. When we see God moving and working, do we jump up and get moving ourselves? Do we…

The message. Christ has come and what do the angels do? The same thing they always do. They praise God. Read Luke 2:13-14. And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:13‭-‬14 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.13-14.NASB Every time we see angels, they are praising God. They are delivering messages from God to people and they’re praising God for those messages. This announcement is certainly a cause for celebration and praise. God has come to Earth and because of that he deserves all glory and we…

Humility. The angels have just announced the birth of the God of the universe as a human child and how did they describe him? He’s wearing rags and lying in an animal feeding trough. Read Luke 2:12. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.12.NASB That sure would be a sign. No one would ever have assumed that after such an amazing announcement of birth, that baby was lying in a feeding trough wearing rags. The thought would have been that they would find the child in a king’s palace wearing riches and gold.…

What is the meaning of Christmas? As we go through the season, we often ask ourselves this amidst the hustle and bustle of all the stuff that goes on this time of year. Read Luke 2:11. for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.11.NASB Why do we celebrate Christmas? Because God came to Earth in the form of a baby to live the perfect life that we could not live as the sacrifice for our behalf. God, the holy perfect God, became flesh to live among us. Such an amazing and incredible truth! This…

Joy, not fear. This whole new experience that the shepherds were going through was meant to end in their joy, not their fear. Read Luke 2:10. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; Luke 2:10 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.10.NASB The angel knew they were afraid. The angel understood this announcement in a way that the shepherds did not yet. The angels were rejoicing about the plan that God had to create a way for men to be made right with God. The shepherds didn’t know or understand that yet. The angels knew…

A normal day. There was absolutely nothing that stood out that would make them think they were going to have anything different about that day. Read Luke 2:8. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.8.NASB Shepherds were tending sheep. Nothing unusual about that. They had probably been doing that exact thing every night for their entire lives. Yet this night was not going to be like any other night. We can be going through our normal day to day when God decides to step in and disrupt everything that we know. Are…

The birth announcement. In today’s day and time, birth announcement are huge affairs, often complete with gender reveal parties or baby name reveal parties. No such thing existed for the birth of Jesus. Read Luke 2:7. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.7.NASB Jesus came. The savior of the universe, the God who created everything, and there was no fanfare. Mary gave birth to him. She couldn’t even find a hotel room or home to stay in, but instead was in a barn.…

It’s time. When it comes to having babies, we often do not get to be the ones who pick the time. Babies decide when they are ready to come join the world. Read Luke 2:6. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. Luke 2:6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.6.NASB In the midst of all this chaos and traveling and counting, God decided it was exactly the right time for a baby to be born. His precious son Jesus Christ was born to Mary just as they were traveling to Bethlehem. We don’t know how long they had been there before she gave birth, but we know that…

Go home. Joseph had to reevaluate where home was this census. As a result, he had to take a trip back to the area his family was from, Bethlehem. Read Luke 2:4-5. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. Luke 2:4‭-‬5 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.4-5.NASB Joseph had to travel. Because of who he was related to, he had to go back to where the family was from. How often have we…