On This Night
Tuesday, December 17
Luke 2:8-10 (NLT)
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”
Devotion
Imagine being a shepherd and enduring the long, boring nights of keeping watch over your sheep as they lay sleeping. At least, you hoped for a boring, uneventful night rather than one of fighting off predators. But this night was anything but boring. On this night came the most eventful night ever in a shepherd’s life! On this night, the King of the world is born, and the hosts of Heaven rejoice and sing his praises. Can’t you just imagine the awe and wonder the shepherds must have felt on this night as they hear the angel’s proclamation of good news for all people?!
Imagine the shepherds sitting there in total awe, hanging on every word and every song of the angels. Notice, as we read further in Luke chapter 2, that when the angel told them where to find the newborn King, they said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They did not sit around, discuss the situation, and try to reason it out, ending up talking themselves out of seeing the greatest miracle in the history of the world. No, we are told that they went with haste and found the King.
In contemplating this fact, we must ask ourselves, “Are we as eager to run to him as the shepherds were? Do we long to see the face of our Savior? Are we willing to put everything else aside and focus on him alone? Do we truly long to see our Lord? Do we run to our Messiah with haste each day?” Just imagine how our lives would change for the better if we would eagerly run to the Lord every day. Think of how we would grow in our spiritual walk if our focus became our Lord.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the most precious of all gifts, Your Son, Jesus Christ. As I go through the Christmas season, help me to be as in awe of him as the shepherds were when they looked upon the sweet face of the King of kings. Let it become just as real to me and to those I love as it was to them on that glorious day. May we always live in awe and wonder of our Lord and Savior as we seek to walk in his way. In the precious Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
During the Christmas season, we make many lists of the array of items we need and the never ending to do lists for the holiday. If we are honest with ourselves, sometimes we forget the most important detail of all, the reason for the season. As you plan your holiday, make a strategic plan now to include the miracle of Jesus’ birth into your Christmas with family and friends.
Resources:
- Be encouraged to keep Christ near on Christmas and every day of your life as you watch, “Keep Christ In Christmas.”
- Read Luke chapter 2 in its entirety over the next week and be ready to truly celebrate Jesus this Christmas.