Born In A Stable And Announced To Shepherds

BORN IN A STABLE AND ANNOUNCED TO SHEPHERDS

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The Saviour was born and placed in a feeding trough, not as we know them but it was hewn out of stone in a cave like area. Not what we would have planned had we been the planners of His birth. In hindsight it seems natural for the Lamb of God to have been born there. Then we have his birth announced to the shepherds that were keeping their flocks. Again, this was no mistake that the Good Shepherd’s birth was announced to shepherds. I have read that the shepherds around Bethlehem kept the sheep that were offered for sacrifice. Again, here is the Sacrifice for sin born and his birth announced to shepherds. They got up at once after the angelic announcement and went to see Jesus. Notice that they went and when they returned they returned glorifying and praising God. Should we be any different if we have come to Christ? This time of year we like to think of the baby Jesus in a manger. But there was a shadow that was out ahead of the manger and it was a cross. Jesus did not stay in a manger but He had to go to the cross to die for your and my sins. But He didn’t stay dead, He arose that 3rd morning. Now that is something to rejoice over!!

I wish you a Merry Christmas, I hope you celebrate Christ in this season and rejoice in Him, not only this time of year but all year long. For He is worthy.