Finding Hope...In God's Present
Christmas Day
“And so the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’” Luke 2:10-12.
by Adria Wilkins on December 25, 2022
It seemed like an ordinary evening in Bethlehem. The shepherds were tending the sheep. They knew the landscape and terrain of small hills, rocks, and trees. Everything seemed like business as usual.
God decided on this somewhat usual night to give the most thoughtful and well-timed Present ever! He sent the most precious gift to earth in the form of a child named Jesus.
He made his Present known to the most unlikely people. Luke 2:8-12 reads, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’”
I love to find things I have never noticed in Scripture. This is a familiar passage, but I had not noticed that the shepherds were “nearby.” God is always nearby. He is with us when we are sad, lonely, afraid, happy, or joyful. Because His gift to the shepherds (and to us) was His son, Jesus, His Present became His presence. When Jesus took on flesh, God’s Presence came to dwell with us. Isaiah prophesied Jesus would be called Immanuel – God with us.
People had been looking and waiting for the Messiah and the time had come. This particular evening turned into the most joyful occasion as the shepherds gazed into the open terrain and, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:13-20).
This must have been a glorious sight and sound. Can you imagine the brightness of God’s Presence and the heavenly host with the angel? It must have been remarkable as they began praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
The night turned out to be the most spectacular night for all of mankind. God’s Presence, Immanuel, is the most wonderful present one can receive this Christmas Day.
Further Reflection: When have you seen moments of God’s Presence (Jesus) in your life?
Additional Reading: Luke 2:22-40