Christmas Devotional: 16th December 2020
When was the last time you heard some really good news?
In these strange times it seems we turn on the TV to a new worry or tragedy every day. This year has been such a rollercoaster, that I’m sure when the news of a vaccine finally started to break a few weeks ago, it came as a bit of a shock to some of us because we finally had something to celebrate!
In this passage, we see the long-awaited birth of Jesus and get a glimpse into the main event of the Nativity story. It’s a story we have probably heard countless times before in our lives (no matter how old we are) and could probably recite it word for word if we had to.
Although, I think the main take-away we can get from this comes from the shepherds – put yourself in their shoes: they are likely hard-working men who are suffering under the taxes and restrictions of the ruling Romans. They’ve heard prophecies of this Messiah and are eagerly waiting for his conquest to free them.
However, they now get to experience the fulfilment of God’s great promise first-hand! Even though they were “terrified” (v9) of the heavenly host revealing it to them, they still “went with haste” (v16) to find this “child wrapped in bands of cloth” (v12) – bear in mind that this image of the Messiah was not the great military leader they would have expected; it’s almost the exact opposite.
They had their good news, and all they wanted to do was share it (v17), and everyone they told was “amazed” (v18).
Could we not take this attitude this Christmas? We have even greater news than what these shepherds heard all those years ago. We know how this baby’s story pans out, with salvation for all! This was the real good news the angels were talking about in v10, and the real good news we can find comfort in during this tough period.
In this time where we often see family and friends, how great an example would it be if we can go into this period “glorifying and praising God” for what he has done for us (just like the shepherds in v20)?
Isn’t it easy to get caught up in the ‘storybook’ version of the Nativity? Images of a primary school Nativity play come to mind, with the fun songs that come along with it. I think the angel describes the true meaning of this passage perfectly in verses 10 & 11 though!
Let’s invite those who don’t yet know the true meaning of Christmas to rejoice in it with us, and let’s be praying this holiday season that we see God revealing his goodness to them – goodness that the world they live in seems to be lacking!