12/08/17 THEY RETURNED, GLORIFYING AND PRAISING GOD

12/08/17 THEY RETURNED, GLORIFYING AND PRAISING GOD

If the shepherds had not gone down to Bethlehem, and had not seen Jesus, they would not have gone back to their daily routines, "glorifying and praising God," because they would not have seen the Christ Child lying in a crib, and heard the story of His birth.

Sadly, for most people, Christmas will not include a personal encounter with the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world and they will not realize that He is the long awaited One, Who is the Savior of the world.

Most people will celebrate the office parties and the after work visits to the bar and the shiny new "stuff" under the tree and the family get togethers and the parades and the ball games and the vacation time. Some, if not all, of these things are good things, but their value is short lived and may not offer any lasting enrichment.

Yet, isn't it strange that people will be more eager and bold to boast in these things than those who claim to have discovered and received the Babe born in a manger?

Maybe they should "go down to Bethlehem" and realize that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe and Judge of all mankind, became a Baby, became a Servant, in order to become the Sacrifice for sin that reconciles rebellious humans back to God. When we realize that God became a Man, in order for us to become new creations, in order for us to become the children of God, then we too will go out, glorifying and praising God for the things that we hear and see in Jesus.

Luke 2:8-20
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 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.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.