Today we see the shepherds actions following the appearance of the angels and their announcement of Messiah’s birth. Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

How do you react to having a story, message or expectation confirmed? The shepherds were forever changed as they had seen God incarnate. They were praising and glorifying God, telling everyone they could find. Having your faith confirmed or bolstered is an exhilarating experience that continues in your heart and mind as your life goes on. You are forever changed as faith takes hold of your very being. Knowing and encountering Jesus does that to a person. He changes your very being and comes to dwell within you. That is an additional meaning to “God with us.” Paul describes this phenomena in Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” and he continues in verse 11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Where do you see God in this scene? God appeared through the angels and drew the shepherds to Bethlehem to encounter His son. God draws us too as He wants us to see and meet Jesus for ourselves. God confirmed His words as they saw exactly what God said they would. God keeps His promises. An encounter with Jesus will change a person! Mary was changed as she soaked in all the events. I’m sure the shepherds told others continually of their own encounter with God’s messengers and His message to them. This would have confirmed her faith and what she herself had been told by the angel. God’s effect on the shepherds shows His power and might. His transforming power and sovereignty. 

Will you be open to God’s transformation this Christmas? Look with faith upon the manger this year and seek a personal encounter with Jesus. He will transform you, guarenteed!

Linda