This is the first Christmas I have not gone through most of the prophesy surrounding our Savior birth. Perhaps only to make Christmas a little simpler this year. The simple Christmas of a lighted Christmas tree and manger erected to remind us all of the true reason for the season. Christmas Day often falling to the memories of Christmas presents and stockings under the tree instead of the treasure in the manger. How God woke the first Christmas morn was not with Santa Claus coming down a chimney, but with sounds of angels singing in the open fields where the late night hour of shepherds watching their sheep in order to protect them. The angel of the Lord came and told the shepherds not to be afraid. The most natural thing of any appearance of anyone in front of you with a bright light would be to be afraid at night. Yet as the angel talk the shepherds listen to the words of the angel of the birth of a Savior who was Christ the Lord. He would be found in a manger in Bethlehem. Then a crowd/host of angels were around the first angel praising and glorifying God. Where they went no one knows. Yet we know the message stirred enough interest to go see this babe in a manger. The significant of this birth was the angels and location of a future Savior of the world. Did they understand those words probably not, beyond the expected virgin birth, prophesied in Isaiah. The shepherds were excited because of the unusual event and happenings before there very eyes. They ran to Bethlehem looking for the Savior. The shepherds worshipped Jesus and shared how they came to be there with Mary and Joseph. Mary would treasure the story for years to come in her own heart. The story did not end at the manger for the Shepherds began to spread the news of the Savior birth to those they came in contact with. After all they were out in those field and any good story was worth repeating.

God the Father has any proud papa sent his messengers to share the news of the birth of His dear son. Seldom do the parents of any family send out the birth announcement to everyone themselves. They usually to busy at the hospital. Yet family and friends spread the news far and wide of a new birth in a family or friend. I have had the joy of seeing the pictures on social media of many new births. Even the images of other infants I will never meet pictures even not ready to leave the womb. Yet doctors are able to do miracles to save more and more babies before birth. It only with the miracle of birth do we see the beginnings of God’s handwork in the creation of each child. Yet before birth the images through pictures are clearly seen of life forming. The shepherds knew of birthing lambs. They knew the joy of births in the field as well as warring against lions, bears and wolves. Yet this would be the one Lamb that would be in human form that would be taken to the slaughter and killed for our sins. This Lamb’s betrayal sold for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus would be betrayed and be forced to carry the cross to the place they would execute him upon the cross. Only fitting for the herdsmen to see the one that would put away their business trade. Not that sheep are not killed for eating, but the fact no longer used for sacrifice. With the coming of Christ certain practices would no longer be needed after his death. Yet the world despite God broadcast still did sacrifices not understanding who Jesus was and is. Jesus would not just be the sacrificial Lamb but also the Great Shepherd. The Shepherd of God’s heritage from this time forth, from the time before He was even in the womb of Mary in the flesh. God’s word governing the hearts of man and protector of man from the beginning the time. Jesus drew great crowds of people. Crowds of thousands while he walk th earth. Let us not see only a tiny babe, but the man he became that would shape the new covenant between God and man.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for the spread of the Gospel, the first Christmas morn if only to remind us of your love of your Son and the promise the new covenant to come proclaimed to the world through your messengers. In Jesus precious name, Amen.