Animal voices echoed throughout the cave. Rustling as they moved closer to see the surprise guests. An exhausted Mary tossed and turned to ease her pain. Nothing helped.
Joseph covered her with another cloak and rested near her for warmth. She stifled a groan. Then a scream bounced off the stone walls.
“If only we were home, mother could help,” she said.
“Why did the government force us to leave home now?”
Joseph had no answers. Helplessly, he stared at Mary but could not ease her pain.
“Help! Joseph, the baby is coming.”
Together, the inexperienced couple delivered the precious baby. Joseph caught the babe as he entered the cold, dark world. When he handed Jesus to Mary, she wrapped him in swaddling cloths and they stared in awe at the tiny baby in her arms. They truly witnessed a miracle on that long ago night.
The father placed clean, hay in a stone feeding trough, a crude bed for a king. As the new mother laid the baby in his bed, voices interrupted the calmness.
Firelight illuminated shining, expectant faces at the mouth of the cave. The couple looked at each other and then motioned for the shepherds to enter. At once, the visitors bowed before the makeshift bed. Reverently, they gazed longingly at Jesus. A heavenly silence filled the cave.
“Why did you come here?” Joseph asked.
Excited voices overtook each other. Finally, one man spoke for the group. “We were on the hills outside of the village watching our sheep. All at once, we heard a voice from the sky. Everyone fell to the ground. We were terrified. A light filled the night. An angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am telling you joyful news for everyone. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.’
“We tried to understand the news. Then we had more surprises. The whole area was filled with heavenly singers. The angels sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’
“We didn’t know what to do. It all seemed so strange like a dream but we all saw it. We didn’t want to leave our sheep unprotected but knew we had to follow the heavenly instructions. We kept walking and wondering where to find the baby. Finally, we found you.”
Unlikely messengers followed the star to Jesus. They continued praising God and repeating the Good News. The shepherds gave Mary and Joseph another confirmation from God about the baby.
As we wait for Jesus in our unsettled world, we must be open to His message even when delivered by unexpected people in surprising places. If God decided to use despised, dirty shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth, He can surprise the world now. Perhaps He will occasionally even use us as messengers.
Nearby, in the fields outside Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light-the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified!
Messenger: Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect people everywhere. Today in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough.
At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers-a vast heavenly choir. They praised God.
Heavenly Choir: ‘ To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God!’
As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation.
Shepherds: Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the Lord has told us about. (Luke 2:8-15 The Voice)
Father, thank you for the wonderful gift of Jesus. Help us to listen to your messengers and follow Jesus in what we do. Amen
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