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.
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