10But the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all people; 11for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased.” Luke 2:10-14
Imagine the scene that day on the hills around Bethlehem as shepherds stood by as the skies filled with angels proclaiming the Savior’s birth, and praising the Lord. What fear, awe, wonder, joy, love, and eventual peace must have filled their souls as the words of the angel touched their ears and crept with slow realization into the hearts? The sheer wonder and beauty of the scene would have been enough to bring them to tears, and than this sight was coupled with the magnificent news of their Savior’s birth.
Next, imagine how they must have felt when they realized the honor they had been given by their Lord, when He chose them to be first to know.
We speak often of the gifts given to the Christ child by the three wisemen, but what of the gift bestowed on these lowly, poor shepherds, and then also on the wisemen. Upon them, was bestowed the gift of first knowledge of His birth.
The gift of a Savior had just been given to the world, and the Lord chose these lowly shepherds to give the gift of first knowledge of His birth. What an honor and privilege they were given, first knowledge, and then first to see the new baby. Wow!
The Lord also gave the gift of the star to the wisemen, so that they could be the next to see and know. Even though they came much later than the shepherds, they were no doubt any less important because the Lord literally lead them to His son.
First shepherds, then kings each in their own way given news of a Savior and bid to come and see. With these gifts came a responsibility though, because from there they were charged with going forth and proclaiming all that had happened. They were to go forth and tell the good news. Shepherds and kings alike were to take their gift of knowledge of the Christ child and share it with all around them; with the exception of Herod of course.
We are much like these lowly shepherds and stately kings. Some of us are poor, some of us are well off, or even rich, but we all have a common God-given gift. We too have the gift of the knowledge of a Savior born to us, died for our sins, and raised to new life for our redemption.
We also have the same responsibility to share our gift with everyone around us. Just like God chose the shepherds that very first Christmas to share the gift of a new Savior, we are called this Christmas and every day to share the old, old story, with all those who may or may not have heard of the Savior.
So as we share Christmas gifts this season, don’t forget to share the most important Christmas gift that the Lord gave to each of us, so that we too might give it to others. After all, with out the gift of Christ, there would be no Christmas. Therefore, go forth and give Christ as your most precious Christmas gift to people around you this year!
On the Wings of Angels 