“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:15-16
The Bethlehem shepherds were not content just to hear the good news of their Savior’s birth from angels; they believed the angel’s message, went to see the newborn Christ Child, and found all just as the Lord had made known to them. They are an example to us, calling upon us to respond to the Christmas Gospel by searching the Scriptures and learning about Christ Jesus — who He is and what He has done to save us from sin and its curse.
Dear Lord Jesus, having heard of Your incarnation and birth, give me the desire to search for You in the pages of my Bible so that I might know You and Your redeeming work and look to You and Your cross for my salvation. Amen.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” Luke 2:13-14
Not only did the Bethlehem shepherds see the angel of the Lord and the glory of the Lord that shone from his presence, but suddenly, a multitude of angels appeared with him, praising God for sending the Son of God into the world as a baby born of a virgin mother to be the long-promised Savior of sinful mankind. They gave glory to God in the highest heavens for showing mercy to lost mankind and sending His only-begotten Son to atone for sin and restore peace between God and men for all who trust in Jesus, that holy child born in Bethlehem.
Glory be to Your name, O Lord, for graciously sending Your Son into the world to be my Savior and win for me forgiveness for all my sins and a place in Your everlasting kingdom. Grant that I place my faith in Christ Jesus and know the peace He won by His death on the cross for my sins. In Jesus, name, I pray. Amen.
“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11
The angel brought the shepherds good news of great joy for all people, for there was born on that first Christmas night, in Bethlehem, a Savior, the promised Messiah, the LORD God Himself in human flesh and blood, to redeem us from sin and death and restore to all who trust in Christ Jesus pardon and forgiveness and communion and fellowship with God our Maker.
O gracious God, thank You for the gift of the Son, born a humble Babe in Bethlehem that He might atone for our sins and make a way for us to be acceptable in Your sight — through faith in Him and His cross. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
Rather than simply offering prescribed sacrifices for sin (Micah 6:6-7), the LORD God desires genuine repentance and the fruits of repentance — doing what is just and good, showing love and mercy to others, and walking humbly with God by continually acknowledging and confessing our sins and looking to Him for mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD, and pardon my sin. Grant to me also the willingness and desire to amend my life and walk in Your ways, doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with You in accord with Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” Galatians 6:3-5
We often think of ourselves as good and are quick to point out the shortcomings of others. But to do so is foolishness and self-deception. Rather, we should examine our own lives and works against the standard of God’s Word so that we might repent of the sin and evil in our own lives and rejoice in the good that God has graciously worked in us by His Holy Spirit, for each of us will be accountable for his own burden.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24). Amen.
