“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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:15-19
There is always such excitement when a new baby is born. Friends and relatives come to call, bearing gifts and good wishes. Many will bring food to make it easier for the new mother. The Bible doesn’t tell us that the shepherds brought any gifts for the baby, but they did bring the news that the angels had announced Him as the Messiah. I am sure that hearing this message brought peace to Mary’s heart, after all she had gone through. It was a confirmation that God’s plan was being fulfilled.
I have been listening to a Christmas CD by Ivan Park that contains a song that expresses what might have happened in that lowly stable after the shepherds left.
“Mary lay and pondered till her eyes became too heavy
And she finally found the rest she’d struggled for.
Joseph sat in silence as he watched the baby sleeping
And he wondered what the future held in store
Angel voices whispered in his ear
And as he watched he drew the baby near.
Little one, in the morning when you wake up
The world will find that God has taken form
There’ll be joy and the earth will have new life
Because of you for you are loved little one.”
No matter how many gifts we have received this Christmas, none can compare with the greatest gift that God placed in the manger in Bethlehem. The world has never been the same since He came. How blessed we are to know Him as our Saviour and Lord.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for coming to earth as our Saviour, and for giving us the greatest gift that we could ever receive.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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