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Ponderings & Proclamations
The manger has a new inhabitant like no other born there before; this one came from a young woman. He was swaddled up and lying in one of the animal’s feeding troughs. And word was getting around.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Luke 2:15-20
From the Fields
Here-to the manger in a hurry- were a group of shepherds fresh from the fields. I don’t know who was left behind to tend to the sheep, but there had to be serval men chasing after the angel’s announcement. They were heading to Bethlehem with already full hearts, knowing they’d see Mary & Joseph with the newborn baby.
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us
Luke 2:15
Before they ever left the inside of their fences, should they have had them, these shepherds already believed God’s message. Seeing the new family of three didn’t sway them from questioning to believing, they believed the moment they heard God’s message.
Proclamation
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Luke 2:8-20
They heard, they believed, they left, they came, they saw, they proclaimed God’s truth to everyone around near and far!
Men (and women) Wondered
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds
Luke 2:18
Wondered. to regard with amazement, and with a suggestion of beginning to speculate on the matter
ALL. All they that heard it. Imagine, a group of shepherds excitingly proclaiming all they’ve heard and seen, just as the angels told them, across their land. Men and women, children and grandparents doing life in their day in and day out kind of way stopping in their tracks hearing of this baby born to a virgin and staying in a Bethlehem cave/manger. Their hearts were stirred to hear God’s truth.
Same thing happens today. The shepherds shared what the angel had said to them: God’s Word, with those they lived around.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:17
Interesting to note, these field of sheep managers did not carry on with their own experiences. We don’t see them talking about how the angel appears and scared them near to death, nor is there word of the host of heavenly being joining and filling the skies. They didn’t go on about their journey getting to, coming up on, or their own thoughts or feelings when they actually saw Mary, Joseph and this miracle baby. No, the Bible says, “they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. “
When we share God-His Word-with others, lives and hearts change. Every word of God is as true today as the word He spoke through is Angel to those shepherds. And, just like they did, we should excitedly proclaim God’s Word as we hear and know it with everyone we can.
Mary Pondered
Do you often ponder? A treasured friend of mine is a great example of pondering God’s truths. Those things that so greatly touch our lives and hearts that we’re not too sure how to process them, so before saying anything -often before never saying anything about it- she ponders God’s doings in her heart. At the risk of sounding contrary, those moments give me great insight, through God’s Spirit, on how to pray for her.
Mary often kept in her heart what she was learning with her Lord. I’m a ponderer too. I learned, though slowly, from the example of my own mother. My mom was the most pondering woman ever, slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to pray. And the gift of those quiet thoughts between her and her savior are still unfolding in our (her children and grandchildren’s) lives today, long after her heavenly home going.
What Child is This?
Friends, my heart stirs in me as I listen to this well known Christmas carol. The reason? The world still has questions just like the ones the shepherds ran around answering. What Child is This? We still need to know about this babe, the son of Mary. We still need to ponder deep inside in the quietness with our God, who is this Jesus? And, we still-more and more-need to gladly proclaim His story, born from a virgin, born in the manger. born Jesus to save the World.
What child is this
What Child is This
Who’s laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is Sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherd’s watch are keeping
This this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste! haste!
To bring him, Lord!
The babe, the son of Mary
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Shhhh, listen
Listen to the still small voice of God in your heart. Listen for ways to share Him with your world.
