Its all about the baby

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” 

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 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.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising GOD for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”  Luke 2: 8-20 NIV

I grew up confusing two groups of people, the Shepherds and the Maji.  The Shepherds were tending sheep and they left immediately after they were told about Jesus.  I assume they were fairly close.  They left their sheep to go and then returned to them afterward.  They told people about Jesus right where they already were.

As a child I also used to think that the Shepherds and the Maji were there at the same time.  I am sure that my church did not teach this incorrectly, I just assumed so as a kid.  In contrast, it probably took almost two years for the Maji to reach Jesus. 

This time frame seems to make sense because the Maji returned to King Herod to report to him at which time he ordered all boys under two years old to be killed. 

I notice different details now that I am officially an “old wise man” myself.  First, the Shepherds were afraid.  I heard once that there were 365 times that people were told to not be afraid in the bible.  That’s actually not true.  It happens a lot, which tells the old man in me something.  God knows we will be afraid, a lot.  I used to think it was sort of a sin to be afraid of something.  We are people.  The lack of fear in some situations denies the discernment God Himself designed into us. 

What we do with this fear is the issue.  Take it to Him, good decision.  Try to solve it yourself, not so much.  Become paralyzed by it, even worse.  God does big things.  He can handle our fear and give us peace in spite of it.  The verses even say that this baby meant peace on whom His favor rests.  His favor rests on anyone who acknowledges their need for a Savior and who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior.  I think we get that part crossed up a bit.  Peace in our life does not mean the absence of pain or trouble.  Not at all.  True peace defies situational problems.  True, authentic peace can only be found in the grace offered by Jesus Christ.     

Also, the angels left, then the Shepherds decided to go to Him.  They were not commanded to go.  They were not forced to go.  They had the free will to choose, just like you and I have today.  Also, they spread the word.  They told other people about Him.  It was an inefficient way to spread the word but is apparently the way God wanted it.  I like to think of it as hand-to-hand combat.  After they saw Jesus they went back to work, where they could tell people what they had witnessed. 

The Maji’s journey was much longer, it took around two years.  The Maji were wise, they knew they would be walking for a while.  They left anyway.  The journey God has designed for you can be short or long.  He can guide you through any route He wants.

Have you ever wondered if God was sending you somewhere.  What if you are already there? 

What if you knew it was a two-year walk?  Would you take the first step?

Challenge: 

Sometimes we cannot imagine how God can use us right where we are.  Sometimes God sends us on a journey so long that we cannot imagine it until we look back and see how far we have traveled. 

Celebrating Christmas is fine.  Exchanging gifts is fine.  Giving away the gifts He has given us is even better.  We can lose context very quickly. 

Where you are, where you work and where you are going, offer peace to someone, tell them about Jesus.  The baby changed everything.

Rick Claiborn