This is the sing-song chant by kids on the playground or in the hallways when juicy information is leaked or overheard by teachers talking.  “Guess what we heard,” they shout, especially if it is great news that is for everyone!  (And kids do not have the capacity to whisper!) Others who do not know because they did not hear it for themselves lean in closer to those “in the know” to hear news that might affect them. 

Good News is hard to contain—especially when delivered by God’s lead angel backed up by a choir of God’s best angelic singers!

Luke 2, The Message

The Birth of Jesus

^1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

^6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

An Event for Everyone

^8-12 There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

^13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

^15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

^19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Yes, God’s great news of His Son, The One God’s people had been waiting for, was delivered with power and might to the lowest of the low in that culture.  God’s Light burst forth in the dark of night as shepherds sleepily watched over the herd. God’s messenger was glowing with the Light as he told God’s great news that was for all people.  Yes, God’s news was first given to the “least of these” according to how people rank each other.  Fortunately, there is no “rank and file” in heaven.  God knew to “leak” this new information to those who would go and tell as quickly as they saw and believed.

“Messiah has come”! the angel proclaimed.  God led the shepherds to go and see!  How do we know? The angel followed up the news with directions!  “Let me tell you where He is and what to look for when you arrive!”  God knew that “believing is seeing” and would add passion and punch as they told others!  Yes, those in the know will tell others who do not know—Messiah has come!

And then there’s Mary with Joseph.  Mary, a devout young girl, experienced the favor of God as she gave birth in a cave for animals.  Mary and Joseph worked together to deliver the Prince of Peace in a place of their heritage—according to scripture written centuries before.  The delivery of a child who would later deliver the world from the bondage of sin, would be the first of many occasions when they will see and realize that all scripture will be fulfilled in this birth.  This is the Savior, Messiah, Son of God, sent to save the world.  No one else in Mary’s world, other than Joseph, Elizabeth, and Zechariah, will understand the calling of God she has been given. 

“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.” Did God send the shepherds to verify and affirm Mary and Joseph that who they brought into the world was indeed the Son of God?  With God all things are possible.  With God all things are verifiable!  Mary knew before anyone else who she would be holding deep within her.  God assured Joseph, her fiancée, in a visit from angel in a dream so he would know exactly who Mary was going to deliver nine months later.  Joseph, a devout man of God, was also a willing participant in God’s Plan. 

After the pain of childbirth, God now sent excited, humbled, shepherds to this weary couple.  The shepherds told Mary and Joseph the message God’s angel proclaimed to them. I’m sure the shepherds didn’t leave out any of the details, especially the seeing and hearing of the heavenly choir!

How reassuring!  What great news of God’s glory expressed by these shepherds must have been for Mary and Joseph!  God loved them so dearly that He sent these watchers of sheep to bow down before the Lamb of God, His Son to demonstrate once more His love for Mary and Joseph and to prove they were no longer alone in “knowing”.  Wow.

Could it also be… that though the trip was hard, to give birth away from the gossipy community in which they lived each day was probably a kindness from God?  This couple who everyone whispered about behind their backs is so favored, protected and provided for by God to whom all glory, honor, and praise is due.  Yes, Mary indeed has a lot to treasure and ponder as she lives her life fully committed to God no matter what is happening around her as she does His will. And there is much more to come…

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14 (written centuries before) 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Luke 2:11  (prophecy fulfilled)

Immanuel— “God with us.”  With God there are no coincidences.  God’s Plan prevails.  His people who follow His Plan are assured and reassured.  That includes us.

Oh Lord,                

When life gets rough, you are there.  When life is easy, you are there.  When life is confusing and climatic, you bring clarity.  You are life to me.  I will trust in what you say for what you say and do is always good and right.  Cleanse our hearts, remove what gets in the way, renew our minds, reassure our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within all who believe.

In Jesus Name, Amen