Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
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.
The Bible reveals nothing about the character, heart, or thoughts of the shepherds prior to their introduction into the Christmas story. We are merely told that they were out in the fields that night doing their job. They may have been spiritual or unspiritual, godly or ungodly, but what they were not is this: They were not forgotten by God. Far from forgotten, they were invited by God into an unforgettable experience that would change the world.
We don't know what the heart prayers of the shepherds were, but we know that once they experienced all that amazing action, they went away glorifying God and praising him for everything that they had heard and seen. Sometimes it requires an experience from God to redirect our hearts and our lives in the way that he wants us to go. Do you have some heart prayers and yearnings that could use some re-direction from God? Check in with him about this.
Prayer
Father God, if you need to break into my heart's desires and yearnings and alter my heart prayers, then so be it. I want my desires to line up with yours and my yearnings to submit to your will. Continue to change my heart and help me be in a position to see and hear what you are doing in and around me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
