CAN YOU IMAGINE?
“That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their
sheep.” Luke 2:8-14
Can you imagine what the shepherds were talking about that night as they sat
around. Perhaps they were talking about the date and wondering what might
happen when 1BC came? Historians suggest it was around 6BC that night. Or
perhaps they were talking about the events that were having a profound impact on
the Jewish people. How everyone was despondent because once again, they had
been conquered, oppressed, and polluted. Hope was running low; faith was even
lower. All were convinced that the only thing that could save them and their faith
was the appearance of the Messiah.
Can you imagine when suddenly their conversation was interrupted? God chose
that very moment to break into their everyday lives. “All at once an angel came
down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around
them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have
good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s
hometown a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he
is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”
Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God.
They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”
Can you imagine the change in conversation? With great excitement they
exclaimed, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see’. They hurried and saw!
Luke further tells us that the shepherds returned to their sheep, praising God and
saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as
the angel had said.
Can you imagine their conversation as they settled back into everyday life?
Can we join this wonderful conversation? Praising God and saying wonderful
things about Him. Yes, we have so much more to tell. Today we know so much
more; Jesus gave His life a living sacrifice to save us from our sins, Jesus is alive
today, Jesus is coming again!
As we celebrate and rejoice
may we thank and praise the Lord
and say wonderful things about Him.
Lorraine Harvey