God Takes Care of the Wonder;
You Just Have to Respond
Written by Brian Foster
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.
Luke 2:17-18
As a kid, my dad read Luke 2 on Christmas Eve. Every time we read the story, we talked about the Shepherds in the field at night. Think about the initial terror and eventual wonder that the shepherds must have felt when the angel appeared.
I don’t know everything it takes to be a shepherd, but I assume it’s a lot of dark and hopefully uneventful nights. Therefore, imagine how you would feel when an angel, shining with the glory of the Lord, pops up and starts talking to you. Imagine not just one angel, but a whole host of angels showing up praising God. How would you react? Would you even be able to move?
Once the angels were finished though, the shepherds responded with action. The Bible says in Luke 2:16, “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was laying in the manger.” The shepherd’s response to God’s wonder and awe was to hurry. With haste, they went and saw the baby in the manger. I can’t imagine how you move a flock of sheep with haste (I had a hard enough time getting anywhere at all with three kids). After seeing baby Jesus, they came back telling everyone what happened, amazing all who heard. The shepherd’s response was action in the wake of the supernatural.
I don’t know about you, but angels have never popped out in the middle of the night sky for me. If they did, you would surely hear about it. That said, I am often convicted that I do not always notice the miracles and wondrous work of God in my everyday life.
I was a severe asthmatic growing up and almost died several times. Thankfully and prayerfully, I was able to overcome my asthma. A beautiful woman found me and agreed to spend the rest of our lives together. We have raised three wonderful children. None of those things could have happened without God.
When I inventory my life, it is full of blessings. Yet, I do not tell enough people about it. My lesson from the shepherds in the field that night is to not only pay attention to my own night sky, but also tell others about these acts of God.
I don’t know everything it takes to be a shepherd, but I assume it’s a lot of dark and hopefully uneventful nights. Therefore, imagine how you would feel when an angel, shining with the glory of the Lord, pops up and starts talking to you. Imagine not just one angel, but a whole host of angels showing up praising God. How would you react? Would you even be able to move?
Once the angels were finished though, the shepherds responded with action. The Bible says in Luke 2:16, “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was laying in the manger.” The shepherd’s response to God’s wonder and awe was to hurry. With haste, they went and saw the baby in the manger. I can’t imagine how you move a flock of sheep with haste (I had a hard enough time getting anywhere at all with three kids). After seeing baby Jesus, they came back telling everyone what happened, amazing all who heard. The shepherd’s response was action in the wake of the supernatural.
I don’t know about you, but angels have never popped out in the middle of the night sky for me. If they did, you would surely hear about it. That said, I am often convicted that I do not always notice the miracles and wondrous work of God in my everyday life.
I was a severe asthmatic growing up and almost died several times. Thankfully and prayerfully, I was able to overcome my asthma. A beautiful woman found me and agreed to spend the rest of our lives together. We have raised three wonderful children. None of those things could have happened without God.
When I inventory my life, it is full of blessings. Yet, I do not tell enough people about it. My lesson from the shepherds in the field that night is to not only pay attention to my own night sky, but also tell others about these acts of God.
Reflective Question for the Day
Do you see the wondrous work of God in your life?
If so, do you tell anyone?
Brian Foster travels the world for his work. He looks forward to Christmas time because it’s a couple of uninterrupted weeks with his wife and kids. Part of the traditions he enjoys most are the Christmas Eve service, early morning tree time (at least for the teenagers), and salt-encrusted prime rib for Christmas dinner.