Shepherds were some of the most marginalized people group of Biblical times…they were relegated to an unimportant and distasteful position within Jewish society. But yet, God saw fit for them to be the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah. But why? We have only to search Old Testament Scriptures to see the clear correlation between the shepherds on that dark hillside and Jesus Christ. Probably one of the best known Psalms, the 23rd Psalm, starts out, “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.” Isaiah 40:11 talks of Jesus like this, “He tends His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart…” And if we look in the New Testament, Jesus Himself says, “I am the good Shepherd.” (John 10:14) And elsewhere we find, in Hebrews 13:20 Jesus is called the Great Shepherd. This scruffy group of men might not have had much notoriety before men…but before God, He chose to honor them in the same way He honored His Son…the Shepherd of all mankind.
Tag: Christmas tradition
Isaiah 7:14 ” The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
This may be one of the most well-known prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Uttered by Isaiah in 734 BC, this unbelievable miracle is so far-fetched, so difficult for us to put our heads around, that it can be only be God that can accomplish it. It goes far beyond Anatomy and Physiology…far beyond our scope of understanding…into the realm of signs and wonders. ” And He will be called Immanuel”…God with us. If you stop to think about it, this is probably the greatest miracle of all. Almighty God came down from heaven and lived among us in the tiny form of a baby…that we may be saved from our sins.
Matthew 6:27 ” Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “
In our minds, we’d love to have it…the perfect Christmas, complete with bells and mistletoe, gifts and family. But it usually doesn’t work out that way, and in the weeks leading up to Christmas stress takes over and we find ourselves focused on the wrong things. We’re worshipping the problems by worrying…we’re devoting ourselves to a crazy schedule out of desperation…and we’re putting up on a pedestal the to-do list only we think must get done. Quit fretting and stewing over the small stuff…Christmas will happen with or without every detail being done and it will be perfect in its imperfect way. For if you think about it…there has been only one “perfect” Christmas…and it happened in all places – a cow shed.
Isaiah 60: 3 ” Nations will come to Your light, and Kings to the brightness of Your dawn.”
The Magi traveled from afar…following the brightest star in the constellation they had ever witnessed. They knew that at the end of their journey they would find Him…the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And even today men still seek Him…Jesus Messiah.
Galatians 1:14 “…for the traditions of my fathers.”
During this time of year, we focus a lot on traditions and customs that have been handed down from generation to generation. For my husband’s side of the family, it’s all about Norwegian foods…for me it’s baking lots of Mid-western treats. We all have those traditions that mean Christmas to us…whether simple or elaborate. For it’s those traditions and customs that give us a sense of belonging and bring us great comfort. Why don’t you share a Christmas tradition memory with someone today.
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