The Beacon
December, 2024
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Luke records the birth of Jesus. Caesar Augustus decreed that all should register in their home town. Being of David’s lineage, Joseph went to Bethlehem with pregnant Mary. It was there and then that Mary gave birth to her son.
Some shepherds were nearby, tending to their flocks, when an angel of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord’s glory terrified them, but they were instructed to not fear because of a birth. What a tremendous angelic announcement that was heard by the shepherds: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
While pondering that great truth, the shepherds were stunned by a dramatic display – an angelic choir! The large heavenly host praised God with “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)
Then the angels ascended into heaven. Now what? The shepherds knew that what they had seen and heard was from the Lord. Would their sense of awe continue? Or would they be dismissive and apathetic about the latest “Savior news”?
Proverbs 2 includes these words about receiving the Lord’s words and being attentive to His wisdom: “…yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:4-7)
Is that what is happening today in our world, in the United States, in our states and cities, in our families – in our own lives? Paul wrote about such a future time in II Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Many people today are “apostate.” This word refers to a person who renounces any religious belief or principle. In spiritual parlance, many are “deconstructing” their faith. They don’t believe what they once claimed to believe. They have all the opportunity in the world to respond in faith to the LORD’s available wisdom, but a spiritual blindness persists.
What would the shepherds do? How would they respond to their “opportunity”? The angels were gone! All they had now was a message to pursue Jesus. They headed to Bethlehem with haste, and there they saw the Savior and his family. Luke 2:20 tells of their response – and what ours should be: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Jesus the Savior continues to welcome willing followers.