Great Joy For All People
The weather is turning colder and the wind makes it more miserable. I did have a chance to get out during a break in the weather and go to the fitness center and run a few errands. This morning after getting some additional rest, I was able to get some work done in my office that had been hanging over my head.
One of the results of last week’s visit to the doctor was some new lab work. What I found interesting was my white blood count and pseudomonas bacteria levels were elevated fairly high. My doctor however, was not overly concerned if I didn’t have other symptoms. This bacteria is the source of the infections that I have fought this past year. So I will continue to monitor my symptoms and level of fatigue in the coming days.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people….suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-10,13-14
As I reflect on the events surrounding the birth of Christ, the appearance to the shepherds is of great significance. It wasn’t as those God was desperate for an audience to witness the birth of His Son. Angels could have appeared over the stable where Jesus was born and that would have attracted a great crowd.
Shepherds were significant for many reasons that I can think of. The history of God’s people was a history of shepherds. When Israel traveled to Egypt Joesph told his father to address Pharaoh with these words, “…Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” (Gen. 46:33,34)
The reputation of shepherds had not improved over the hundreds of years from the exodus to the birth of Christ. They were common men, rough and not to be trusted. When the angels appeared to them, they may have thought of all the wrong things they had done in their lives. But the birth of Christ is good news to those who expect it the least and it brings dignity to those who the world despises.
The birth place of Jesus was the perfect setting for the shepherds to visit. These men would not be comfortable in a palace or in a setting with people from a cross section of economic or social status. But they were at home with animals and hay.
Jesus birth and the life he lived, those who followed Him, those He ministered to, showed He identify with those that others would cast aside. He came to bring hope that your life can be more than what it is. You can experience a change in status.
So fishermen became “fishers of men.” The demon possessed found freedom. The lepers despised and cast aside found healing and reintegration back to society. The blind received their sight and needed to beg no more. Those caught in sin were forgiven and granted a new beginning. He announced that in His kingdom the first shall be last and last shall be first.
Did Jesus have to be born in a stable? No prophecies predicted this detail. But the circumstances and what they speak about the Son of God humbling Himself and taking on the form of man could not have a more explicit exclamation point. Jesus was not born with a “silver spoon in His mouth” but rather “a piece of straw.” After all, He is the Lamb of God.
When the angels announced tidings of great joy for all people. They really meant ALL people. That includes us today.