Picture this for a moment. You are a shepherd trying to make a living. You are tending to your sheep one night as usual when all of a sudden you look up and see something angelic. You cannot believe what you are seeing, and you and the other shepherds are afraid. The angel proclaims the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, and all at once you see a host of angels. They are praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14). You know that you have had a glorious encounter and you must know more. You and the other shepherds practically run to meet this new Savior!
Is this how you would react if you knew you were going to meet Jesus Christ, the Savior, born in a manger? The shepherds knew the prophecies and knew that God would send a way to save them from their sins. They couldn’t wait to worship this tiny baby who would grow up to be king. We have a promise today as well. Our promise is that Christ is coming again to rescue us from this world. He has given us a new hope, just as He gave the Israelites hope of a Savior and king.
Are you living in light of the hope He has given? The shepherds were living in light of the hope from the prophecies they knew. They taught their children those prophecies and wrote them on their hearts. Today, we celebrate the birth of that Savior, that He brought hope to the world the first time, and we know He will bring hope again. So write His promises on your hearts and teach them to your children. May they know the God you know and celebrate who He is this Christmas.