Signs and Wonders

OPENING PRAYER:

Generous God, your grace is given to me without measure or price. I have an unfailing reason to bless your name.

READ: LUKE 2:8-21

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Luke 2:8-21

REFLECT:

Take time to thankfully ponder the highs of your Christmas, spiritual and otherwise. What are the memories and hopes you will treasure in your heart going into a new year?

As a nurse in the 70s, I loved being on night duty. It was a whole different world where caring for my patients was somehow more intimate than by day. Worries whispered, reassurance given quietly, peaceful silence was the best medicine.

The shepherds were out under the night sky, caring for their sheep. Watchful for wild animals, any other drama was probably far from their minds. Literally out of the blue an angel arrives, closely followed by his pals (v 13).

What must it have felt like for the shepherds to be suddenly in the presence of a heavenly host? They were understandably terrified (v 9). Generally, when we are frightened we don’t take in much of what is being said. But the shepherds were made of sterner stuff. And off they went to check it out.

They would never be quite the same again because they’d been touched by the living God. They would carry Jesus wherever they went, and all who heard their story would be amazed (v 18). Firsthand experience is a powerful thing. And we are much better witnesses for God when we have experienced him for ourselves.

APPLY:

What are signs and wonders surrounding the Christ child that amaze you? Share them with others this Christmas season!

CLOSING PRAYER:

Lord, forgive my doubts, and renew my faith and trust in you. I rejoice that with you all things are possible.

WORSHIP:

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