They Found the Baby

They Found the Baby

Luke 2:15 – When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.” 16 – So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.

verse 17 – When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, 18 – and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. 19 – But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heard what they might mean. 20 – So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.

The announcement of the angel and the appearance of the heavenly army praising God were sights so incredible that the shepherds agreed among themselves to find the baby – the Savior who is Christ the Lord.  They didn’t just walk calmly away from their flocks – they hurried.  They were filled with all human excitement in proportion to the excitement portrayed by the angels.

When the shepherds saw the baby Jesus – they spilled their entire story of how they witnessed the angels and how their terror turned to joy.  Everyone who heard it was astonished.  Mary treasured this report in her heart.  It validated her own personal experience with the angel.  The shame of what appeared to be an illegitimate birth accompanied by painful travel and the disappointment of not finding lodging were all swept away by the reports of who also knew as she did that her child, Jesus, was going to save them all.

Does the gospel of Jesus Christ fill us with any kind of holy excitement?  What has Jesus done for you that leaves you excited to share with any who will listen?  He has forgiven us by His own blood!  He ever lives to make intercession for us!  All things work together for good with Jesus if we will but pay attention and accept His calling!  Jesus will come again!  It is guaranteed that others have had their own unique experiences as well.

We may not be visited by angels before Jesus returns but the Bible says that the Holy Spirit will be sent to us: Joel 2:28 says – “Then it will come about at a later time that I will pour out my Spirit on every person. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your elderly people will dream dreams, and your young people will see visions. 29 – Also at that time I will pour out my Spirit upon men and women servants. 30 – I will display warnings in the heavens, and on the earth blood, fire, and columns of smoke. 31 – The sun will be given over to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and terrifying Day of the LORD. 32 – And everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be delivered. For as the LORD has said, ‘In Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, the survivors whom the LORD is calling.’”

The name of the LORD is Jesus – who was born in this world, laid in a manger, died on a cross, rose from the tomb and has promised to return.  He is our Savior.  Let’s call out to Him in prayer and find Him today!