The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“And it came to pass, as the Angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15-16).

Such good news demanded a response. If the Son of God could come all the way from His home in Heaven to the city of David, and if the angels would come to them in the fields to announce to them this glorious news, then they must leave the fields and go quickly into the city to find this Baby. Imagine that! The very first ones to visit were not rulers, were not royalty, were not religious leaders; they were shepherds. Wouldn’t you love to have been in the stable that night? I wonder what the shepherds said to Joseph and Mary? I wonder if the shepherds knelt down by the manger? I wonder if the shepherds gave that little family any gift other than their hearts of worship? It must have been quite a sight. The shepherds would never be the same. Later in this passage the shepherds returned, telling everybody they encountered of the glorious announcement of the birth of Jesus.

For today: Such good news demands a response. How has it impacted your life?

“And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

John and his three younger siblings huddled around the radio listening to school closings. They were in the midst of a good old-fashioned snowstorm, and oh, how they hoped their school would be closed. The familiar voice behind the microphone started naming the schools that were closed. One after another through the alphabet was being announced as closed. The Smith children could hardly stand it as they waited with great anticipation for the announcement of their own school closing. Finally the radio announcer arrived at their school, and being the uncle to the Smith children, he announced, “Oak Dale Central closed, Oak Field Central closed, and yes to some of my favorite kids, Oak Hill Central is closed today.” There seemed to be a tone of celebration in his voice. The Smith children danced in jubilation and little Sally screamed, “This is the best news I could ever have!” Later that morning, mother gathered the family around for devotions. She reminded them of her love and how excited she too was that their school was closed. But she also reminded them that school being closed was not the greatest announcement that they could ever have. “While I was happy with the news, it was not the best news,” Mother reminded the children. “The very best news that we could ever experience came that day when our Savior was born in the city of David.” It was a precious time of helping her children to understand the great sacrifice made by the Lord Jesus.

For today: Have you thanked the Lord Jesus for coming to this earth to be your Savior?

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid” (Luke 2:8-9).

I have stood several times in the fields near Bethlehem. That night long ago was no ordinary night. Out in the fields, in the stillness of the night time, suddenly the routine of the shepherds was shattered. Angels visited them! While shepherds were not despised, they were not highly looked upon nor were they greatly respected. How awesome is the Lord our God! He selected shepherds to be the recipient of His great news. Kings were not informed. The religious leaders were not informed. The governor was not informed. Caesar was not informed. The shepherds were selected to hear the glorious announcement of the coming Baby who would be our Savior. This child would grow up and one day be called “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He would refer to Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). How fitting then was it for these shepherds to be told the glorious news about the arrival of the baby Jesus? What a great lesson for us. God often uses the humble, the simple, and the lowly folks to hear and share His glorious news.

For today: I’m not a shepherd, but I can imagine that the shepherds never got over the announcement.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

Tim was so drowsy behind the wheel of his car that he drove right past his exit. The next exit was nearly 40 miles away, and it was late at night. Fearful that there may be no vacant motel rooms, his wife Shirley started calling ahead to the motels at the next exit. There were three or four motels at the next town along the Interstate. As she spoke with the clerk at the last motel, what great relief she experienced when the clerk assured her that they had one remaining room and that she would hold it for the MacLaughlin family. As Tim spoke quietly so as not to awaken his children, he confided to his wife, “I was really starting to feel nervous. What if I could not find a room for my family tonight? Imagine what that must have been like for Mary and Joseph that night. To be far from their home, advanced in her pregnancy, then to discover that there was no room at the inn must have alarmed and distressed Joseph,” he said thoughtfully. That phrase, “no room in the inn” ran through his mind many more times that evening. How incredibly symbolic that when the Son of God came to the earth there was no room at the inn. Unfortunately in many Christmas parties and celebrations even today, there will be little room, if any, for Him. You and I have the great privilege of being absolutely committed to making Christ the focus of this day of celebration. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and may the Lord richly bless you as you keep Christ central in Christmas.

For today: Without Christ there would be no Christmas!

“And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47).

We need to keep in balance at all times. On one hand, I highly respect Mary and appreciate her great sacrifice of commitment and obedience. I am really challenged by this young teenage girl who would willingly call herself the servant of the Lord and obey Him even if no one understood. On the other hand, I will never worship Mary. She would never want us to worship her. It is interesting to note that Mary spoke of the Lord being her Savior (1:47). This baby that she was carrying would one day die on the cross, shed his blood, be buried for three days, and would rise again to be not only our Savior but her Savior as well! Mary’s heart was filled with adoration and praise to the Lord. However, she understood her need of salvation. She needed the Savior, and that is the central message of this great Christmas season. The greatest gift was given at Christmas time in the incarnation of God’s own Son. How awesome is that gift of salvation! Have you received God’s gracious gift of salvation?

For today: The greatest gift that will ever be given and received at Christmas this year is the gift of salvation. Have you received that gift?