“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” -Luke 2:20

After the shepherds saw the baby Jesus laid in a manger, they didn’t keep the news to themselves, they got up and told everyone what they had seen!  Good news has to be shared!

When Jesus was born, it was much like any other birth, and yet, there were spectacular and supernatural events alongside the ordinariness.  It was common for people in those days to have a lower portion of their dwelling as the place where they kept the animals, while the people slept in an upper room.  This way they ensured the animals were safe from predators and kept warm.  With all the people coming from other towns to Bethlehem to register, Joseph and Mary most likely were staying with family, but there was no room for them upstairs where the other family members were sleeping.  That’s why they laid the child in a manger, because there was no room for them in the upper room.  This is what the shepherds were looking for: the angels told them to find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” – Luke 2:16-18

When we share our encounter with Christ with others, they, too, will be amazed at our testimony.  When we give glory and praise to God, people will take note!  Where in your life today are you so overwhelmed by God’s love, that you want to shout it from the mountaintops?!!!

God of the manger, we know that you are synonymous with love.  To speak of God is to speak of love, and to speak of love is to speak of God.  Teach us what love really is: Embodying hope and peace and joy all at once.  Help us to live into Love as we wait for Jesus.  Amen.