When Angel’s Sing
Shepherds stand on the dark hillsides outside Bethlehem, working a job few wanted and none respected. The glory of God cracks open the night sky with news that will change the world.
“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” (Luke 2:10-11).
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14).
No ordinary night.
Shocked to the core at this unimaginable sight, the shepherds respond with urgency,”Let us go straight to…and see.” Wonder turns to action as they leave in haste, seeking to find this child, born to save the hearts of men.
Tucked away in this familiar account of the birth of Christ is a practical example of worship.When God shows up, in the deep of our night, in the midst of our watching, He meets us right where we are.<Tweet. Worship gives glory to God as we respond to His worth…who He is, what He says, and what He does. These humble shepherds heard great news and they responded.
They heard. They wanted. They went.
Searching for the gift of Christmas.
Sometimes we make things, including worship, far too complicated.
God’s story would have continued, but the story of the Shepherds would have come to a dull end if they had shrugged their shoulders and found an excuse not to act. What do we miss when we neglect to give God glory?
How much more exciting for them to have the adventure of seeking and searching to see if what they had been told was true. Responsive worship brings us into the thick of what God is doing–it gets us involved and participating.
How will you respond to God today?
A meaningful idea for the kids this Christmas.
Each year when we put out our nativity set, I would gift wrap and hide the Baby Jesus figure. When our kids were little, they loved reading the Christmas story and moving the figurines around as they acted out the story. Some years they dressed up as angels, Mary, or the shepherds–so crazy cute! These are some of my favorite Christmas memories.
As part of our Christmas Eve tradition, we would search for the first gift of Christmas…Christ. It was great fun for one of the kids to find the Baby Jesus figure and add it to the Nativity.
What traditions are meaningful for your family?
This post first appeared on 5 Minutes for Faith.
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No ordinary night, for sure! Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Thanks for visiting today. Merry Christmas.
I’ve never thought of the urgency of obedience in worship before. “They heard. They wanted. They went.” I think I overthink worship way too often!
Isn’t it amazing how God opens our eyes to different aspects of Scripture at different times. Truly His Word is living!
Our pastor preached on the shepherds this past Sunday but more on why shepherds. I love how you bring another element to the story. I love how there is always so much more for us to learn through God’s word. You can read the same story over and over and there is always something more He reveals. Isn’t that just awesome!! Merry Christmas to you, friend. xoxo
Yes, it that’s one of the amazing things about Scripture. God never stops speaking through it. Layer upon layer and truth upon trut, He weaves a greater faith in our hearts. Merry Christmas to you as well!
I want to be like them and to want and to go! I make things too complicated most of the time.
Me too Sister! In fact, I think God is placing me in a situation where I need to “get up and go” and my stubborn nature wants to stay, hanging on to the familiar. Blessings today.