December 25 | Luke 2:15-20

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DAILY READING

Luke 2:15-20

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REFLECTION

Just as They Had Been Told 

By Beth Voltmann

On this Christmas Day, we once again celebrate the birth of Jesus as did Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and all who have heard and believed.

Can you imagine yourself as a shepherd...one of the first to witness the Messiah wrapped in cloths and lying in a lowly manger? When the angels appeared over the fields, declaring the Savior’s birth on that dark night, the shepherds heard the good news and responded in faith, believing that what they had been told was indeed true.

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,

which the Lord has told us about.”

(Luke 2:15)

And then, there before them lay the Christ child. Did they fall to their knees in awe? Perhaps they whispered in the still silence...

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”

(Job 42:5)

Time changed forever that early morning in Bethlehem as Jesus was born. The Creator became part of the creation, and the shepherds were invited to behold him.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.”

(John 1:14)

Just as they had been told, they found Jesus in that place.

“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)

Just as we have been told, we can still find Jesus this Christmas morning.

It may be a familiar adoration or a beautiful first moment of awe, but this is a special opportunity...

this day...

to come as the shepherds...

humble and lowly...

to find the Messiah...

born for us...

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. (Nicene Creed)

Pull away from the chaos for just a while, come before the Lord, open his Word, and worship.

He is so very worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Merry Christmas!

PRAYER

Father God, we are seeking Jesus on this Christmas morning. Help us to humble our hearts, quiet our voices, and ponder anew the birth of the Christ child, sent to save.

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.