And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord….” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:8-11, 16-20
Jesus is here. God has come, Immanuel, God with us. Mary had been anticipating the moment. The shepherds just heard the good news. Mary treasures what is happening and ponders it all in her heart. The shepherds glorify and praise God and spread the word about all they had just heard, and people are amazed.
Why did the angels appear to the shepherds? Maybe because they were watching their flocks by night since that’s what shepherds do when they are expecting new lambs. A lamb was born, the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. They were watching for the birth of a lamb and they saw it.
Mary had believed the angel who told her she would have the child Messiah, Jesus, Yeshua, meaning God saves or God’s salvation. She was watching and waiting for the coming Messiah.
We wait and watch again. Messiah will come again, this time to reign in the world as an earthly king, though He will be anything but of this world.
Do you believe He is coming? Are you prepared for His arrival? Are you pondering these things in your heart like Mary? Once the angels are announcing His arrival next time, it will be too late. They are coming with their sickles to gather in the wheat and the chaff, and you’ll want to be part of those being gathered into the barn!
Will you share it and glorify God like the shepherds? Make His great name known. Jesus has come in the flesh. You are living in His kingdom and He’s coming to establish His kingdom on earth. He’s your good Father who takes care of you in every way and is growing you up in the perfect image of Christ, who is already in you. We are sons of God and will live and reign with Him forever. Give Him glory and praise His name.
The Tribulation 