28. The Good News

Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:9-14

Key verse:  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6

The earthly parents didn't send out birth announcements, but the heavenly Father did.  God made sure that His gift to the world was noticed, even if it was just a bunch of lowly, crude men who probably hadn't bathed in days and had the manners of ruffians.  Who knows, some of them may not have even been sober. 

We continue to be amazed at how God chooses to do things.  We would have made sure that Jesus would be born in a clean, sterile environment with lots of blankets and comfort for both baby and parents.  We would have sent angels to the people who deserved to see them, the religious people, those who had obeyed God's laws and had kept themselves clean and pure.  Seeing Jesus should have been a reward; a privilege, a heralded event!  Instead, it was tucked away, private and quiet. 

God chose shepherds, not rabbis to be the first to see His Son.  In fact, we don't know for sure, but it is speculated that the sheep that the shepherds were watching were the temple sheep.  If it is true, then these are the sheep that would eventually become a morning or evening sacrifice, or a sacrifice sold by the temple, to become some family's Passover lamb. If so, these shepherds went to look for the Lamb of God, perhaps they left 99 on the hill and went to find him! 

God sent an angel to undeserving, uneducated men who could be simple and obedient with what they were asked to do. It is not the learned, but the humble who are exalted here, further amplifying Mary's song.  (Look back to page January 25.)

"You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12) The going is only implied, but God knew that the shepherds would know what to do with the information. 

 Then, there was the multitude of angels, filling up the night sky!  Could any fireworks display have ever been as majestic?  These simple men were allowed to see what we can only imagine.  Has any other birth in history ever been announced with such fanfare? And yet such a private audience of just a few. These simple men received the benefit of the whole show.  How could they not go and seek and find out what it was all about?

Hymn: "Angels We Have Heard On High"

also:  Gloria