Christmas Eve, December 24

OUR JOURNEY

Luke 2:8-20

“Extra, extra, read all about it!” Have you read the headlines? “WOLVES, THIEVES, LIONS, & TERROSISTS, EVERYWHERE!” It was a very dark time when this journey began. Shepherds were out in the fields trying to keep their flocks safe in a very unsafe world. Do you know the feeling? And it was the shepherds’ responsibility to keep the flock from falling victim to the predators of the night. An impossible job…but with God all things are possible. While vigilantly watching their flock one night, an angel with a message from God came and spoke “good news” to them. He told of the birth of the One that would save them and their flocks from the evil and dangers of wandering in this present world. The child, Jesus, was born in Bethlehem, the city of David. He encouraged these shepherds to make the most important journey of their lives—to meet their only Hope, Jesus Christ.

Notice, in this account, we see an angel coming down from, and then going up into, Heaven. God reminded me of the Scripture in Genesis 28:10-22 where there were angels descending and ascending a ladder right up to God! The headlines now read, “OPEN HEAVEN!” Open by way of “the ladder” that is Jesus Christ. Access to the throne of grace was theirs! Why is this important, you may ask? The answer is quite simple. We can’t make anyone come to Christ. I have tried; I have pleaded; I have cried, but it only made me discouraged in heart. God has a better way. God’s way is for me to come to Him. This is prayer! Like the shepherds, I must be desperate for Jesus, exhausting all possibilities of control, including trying to say just the right words. Isn’t God Gracious? He wants to save people from the power of Satan and this dark world. We, the church, must humbly agree that we need Him. He will then give the message through us. We must be obedient to speak His words alone, in the power and authority of His Holy Spirit. Finally, but most importantly, (this is where we often fall short) we must return to Him and ask Him to work on hearts. By faith in God, there will be answer. Many will come when the church lets go of their control, and begins to rely on Him entirely.

Answer came quickly in this Scripture. As soon as the angels returned to Heaven, the place of prayer, the shepherds went with haste to see Jesus. Nothing would interfere—not their jobs, or their families, or their flocks. Their lives were entirely given to Jesus. They were on a journey of the heart that would make all things new! And new they were! They were the new praying/praising messengers. They had been with Jesus! They had really good news! The headlines read, “JESUS!” This night, I’m praying that you will make the most important journey of your life, to your only Hope, Jesus Christ.

Join me tonight at 7 PM for the Christmas Eve Service!

~ Ruth Ann Ward