I wonder what the shepherds who saw the angel and hosts of heaven thought about the message they received the night Christ was born.
Did they immediately recognize the significance of what was happening?
Consider why the Savior of the world would be found lying in a manger?
Did they question whether or not it was too good to be true? Whether or not it was really a message for them? Whether or not it was a good time to go see (maybe they were tired; maybe distracted; maybe felt they deserved a rest or time to binge watch their favorite show)?
All questions I can imagine crossing my mind.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11; italics added.)
That magnificent message was not wasted on these humble tenders of sheep, because ‘they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16).
And by coming with haste, they chose to be changed; to live differently from that moment on.
Because they witnessed for themselves the light and glory and wonder of that night.
From that moment on, they knew what it was to live with assurance in God’s promises kept.
They knew life with hope and peace and the goodness of God, regardless of what mortality could (and probably would) expose them to.
During every challenge, every difficult time, every monotonous work day and long night, every unexplainable moment, every tragedy and heartache, they could remember that Immanuel-God with us-had come and all would be well as a result.
What a glorious, light-filled, hopeful way to live!
Had they chosen not to come with haste, it would not have meant that their chances were forever lost to learn the truths they experienced that night.
God is gracious and generous and patient with His children.
He gives all the chances it takes for us to choose to come.
But by coming with haste, they got to live from that moment, having experienced the wonder of His love.
And everything was different.
Come with haste and live life with light, hope, peace and joy.
Live in the confidence of the goodness and willingness and power of Jesus Christ.
For unto us, was born that day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Hallelujah.
