Editors note: Today's devotional is based on what I learned in my devotional times today and wanted to share it with others as a Christmas Eve message!

Quiet Times: ( Luke 2:15-20)

"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 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 2:15-20)

Observations:

Characters involved:
1. Angels
2. Shepherds
3. Lord
4. Mary
5. Joseph
6. Baby
7. All who heard it
8. God

I decided to focus on the actions of the shepherds!

The shepherds make a group decision to go and 'see this thing that has happened'.

Do you think they took all their sheep with them to 'see this thing that has happened'?

Interpretations:

I think that is stretching it but we are not told. We know they were watching over their flock by night when the angels appeared to them, according to v. 8. This means they were in the middle of their jobs. Yet, they go now searching for this thing that the angels told them about. They could have easily worried what is going to happen to their sheep but I have a feeling the angels were watching over them. In any case, the shepherds obey the angels without leaning on their own understanding.

In the Old Testament, we learn that the angels are messengers of God! It is really interesting how the shepherd's react to the angels message when they say, "Let's go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened".

I have a feeling the shepherds could not completely believe the angels until they saw the baby Jesus themselves. Without saying, 'let's go to Bethlehem to see the Savior born or to see Christ the Lord, they say 'let's go see this thing'.

I asked myself why is that a big deal?

There is a lot to say here because the shepherd's really may not have grasped the message of the angels in their heart. For all we know, they could have all been unbelievers without knowledge of the Old Testament and prophecy. This all changed when they obeyed the angels and hurried off and saw Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Even as a baby, Jesus became personal to them now.

In v.17 we read 'when they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told about this child'.

The event was not a thing anymore to them but the birth of a Savior became reality to them. We are told that these shepherds now spread the word concerning what had been told about this child. We are not told that they saw the baby Jesus and went back to their fields, saying "yeah, that's cool, we have work to do now" but they were engaged in evangelism. This is the first instance of evangelism by humans that we see here.

What they heard they did not keep to themselves but spread it. Spreading Good News is cool but spreading gossip can cause a duel.

The result of the shepherds’ evangelism is that 'all who heard were amazed.'

The shepherds belief in the Savior and there actions of spreading the news had ripple effects.

Application:

I saw important implications for our own life.

I ask you now dear friend, what is Christmas to you?

Dear friend, it is important for us to realize that 'evangelism' began at Christmas. The angels’ news to the shepherds and the shepherds’ news to the people had positive ripple effects in so many lives.

This Christmas season, let us take the time to spread the message of true love, joy, peace, and hope that can be found only in the Savior.

Christmas can just become a thing to us if we get so bogged down with our jobs and the duties we have to do rather than taking the time to understand the true meaning of Christmas.

My prayer is that each one of you will remember our Lord and Savior during this Christmas season. Christmas should be a time of celebrating the birth of Christ and spreading the Good News.

True story of the Candy Cane (Dramatization to make the point)

Once upon a time in a land far away, there was an elderly gentleman who loved children so much and wanted to make them a candy where the message of the gospel can be presented too. One Christmas morning, he decided to give all the children a striped candy. The children loved the candy and it's taste. However, they wanted to know how come the candy had a weird shape. This gave the elderly gentleman the opportunity to spread the gospel.

"You see children, this Christmas day I want you to remember the birth of the Savior who was born for you and me even as you eat this candy.  Let me tell you the meaning of the candy", replied the elderly gentleman.

The elderly gentleman started to tell the meaning. "I made this candy in the shape of a cane to represent the 'staff of a shepherd'. Jesus is your Good Shepherd and you all are his tender sheep. The 'staff' is used to lead you all in the right direction if you go astray. I coated it completely with a 'white color' to represent purity. You see Jesus had no sin but was perfect in everything he did.  Each of us did yucky things though and Jesus wanted to forgive us and deliver us from these yucky things so he came to earth to be our Savior. I coated the 'white cane' with stripes of 'red color' to represent the blood of Jesus washing away all the yucky things we have done and make us pure. Jesus died for you and me to rescue us from all our yuckiness by becoming our Savior. I also coated it with 'three thin stripes of red' to represent Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. Each time, you eat a candy cane, I wanted you to remember how much God loves you so much that He sent Jesus as a baby, born during Christmas to become your Savior one day and later give you His Holy Spirit to live in you and guide you everyday. This is the meaning of the candy cane in your hands and the gospel story." replied the elderly gentleman. Never forget that Jesus is the reason for the season and my gift of the candy cane to you. Amen!

"Christmas Hope Rests In Savior; True Meaning Announce Shepherds!"(C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S)/"What is Christmas to you?"

May you find peace and joy this season knowing how much Jesus loves you and cares for you! Amen!

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you so much your birth is so special because you were born for me. Christmas is a time of hope because you came to be our Savior. Thank you so much Jesus! I am sorry Lord when I become too preoccupied with getting presents, etc that I fail to sit at your feet and spend time with you on your birthday. I am sorry when I do not give myself completely to you. Lord, we know when we give others gifts, it is like giving you gifts. Yet, many times we can be bogged down with Christmas shopping that the joy of this season is lost. For that we are really sorry Lord. Even as we think of giving presents, I pray we would remember the reason for this season is your birth. Thank you so much Jesus! Please Jesus give us boldness to tell others about you as the Shepherds did because you have the power to save all of us and be a light in our lives. Thank you so much Jesus!  I thank you Lord for hearing us and answering us. I pray for all those who are suffering this season that you Oh Lord would send your healing in their lives. Whether they are suffering from a physical ailment, emotional, psychological, or even a financial struggle, please Lord be with them and help them experience the joy of this season. Thank you Lord we can celebrate your birth because you are Savior now and forever as we give our lives to thee. This Christmas we give ourselves to thee as a present to you. We want to make you really happy for your birthday and always. Please help us Father God to bring you happiness. Thank you Lord and thank you Lord for the elderly gentleman who spread the Gospel through a candy cane. Thank you Lord that you can use anything you want for your honor and glory. We lift all these things to you. In Jesus Name We Pray Jesus thanking you and praising you for everything! Amen!
 

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark! It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches Christ crucified and risen to bring us hope, healing, and help! As a student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus too this coming new year!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

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