Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Presents have been opened - some played with, some worn, some yet to be explored. Family has been visited and enjoyed. It must be the day after Christmas. Christmas in our home was warm and inviting. It went off without-a-hitch. Well, except for the battery that I forgot to attach to the video recorder the night before when I was charging it . . . but we won't think about that. On this side of Christmas, I started longing to get back into my regular routine and considered how enjoyable it would be to do so.This brought on the thoughts of the day after Jesus was born. It must have been a regular day in Bethlehem. The Romans still continued with their census. The people still went about business as normal. Yet, the Saviour was born in their very town and only a few knew about it - Joseph, Mary, some shepherds and the ones the shepherds told.
The three kings were still traveling and following the star, yet to discover the Christ Child. But the shepherds' lives were changed forever. The Scriptures say that they told everyone about what the angel had said and about the Christ Child. It continues to say that they went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God. They went back to their normal routine. Except it had changed because they had encountered the Christ Child. A change of praising God and spreading the Word.
As we go back to our normal routine of life, I wonder are we spreading the news about Christ? Are we leaving His message at the manger or are we taking it with us throughout our daily routines? Are we sharing with others the news of the one and only Saviour who came to die on the cross for their sins?
As you begin to think about the new year, are you considering how you can incorporate Christ and His message of love and redemption throughout your daily routine? Are you preparing your heart for what He has for you to do for Him? Let's be like the shepherds and glorify God throughout our day, everyday.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for giving us the Christ Child. I pray that I may remember throughout my daily routine to praise Him and glorify Your name. You have changed me, help me to show others this change so they will be drawn to You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
