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NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



Hurry to Hope

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:16


Hurry. Hurry up, Karen. I hear these demanding words frequently in my mind. How about you? For me, they ignite inner tension.

The heightened activity of the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day can bring on a squeezed feeling for many of us in the United States.

But what if, just what if, hurrying to Christmas could be a great thing?

For one appointed group watching their flocks of sheep on the night of Christ’s birth, it was the best thing to do. And it can be for each of us, too.

Initially, when an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the region of Bethlehem, and brought good news of great joy for all people, they were terrified. The appearance of angels was a rare occurrence, even to other people groups.

The angel spoke to the largely unseen and unheard shepherds in the fields. After the announcement and praises to God from a multitude of angels, they were compelled to leave their flocks for a glimpse of real hope.

And they went with haste… (Luke 2:16 ESV).

The shepherds rushed in anticipation, wonder, and hope! The best kind of hurrying. They hastened in response to hearing that a Savior had been born. Pure joy and not feeling under a burden of having “one more thing to do” spurred them on. That same exhilarating experience can be ours when our hearts are receptive to God’s timeless message, delivered for all mankind.

The flock keepers returned to their fields and the routine—glorifying and praising God—for all they had heard and seen. What urgent tasks might we temporarily set aside in order to do the same?

Take to heart the joyful news of Christmas and make it known that Jesus came to rescue us!

Heavenly Father, may we put aside the urgent and press on this Christmas season to adore the Christ Child of everlasting hope.

Karen Sims

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