October 2, 2017. Matthew 1, Luke 2:1-38.

 

How does one read a passage like today and not smile and walk away with a huge grin on his or her face?  As we read these two familiar passages about the birth of Jesus Christ, look at all of the things that should lift and lighten our spirits.

Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Luke 2:10-11 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

For some shepherds who were experiencing these things, here is how they walked away from their experience.

Luke 2:20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Then we are told of the tremendous thrill for Simeon to see the Lord’s Christ and for the widow Anna who had served God with fasting and prayers night and day.

These narratives about the birth of Jesus are narratives that remind us of the wonder of Jesus Christ as our Savior.  That each moment, of each day, whether good or bad:

• We have been saved from our sins.
• God is with us.
• We are experiencing good tidings of great joy.
• We have had the wonderful privilege of seeing the Lord’s Christ before our death.

When we continually remind ourselves of these things then we cannot help but follow the example of the shepherds that night of glorifying and praising God throughout each day of our life.