Not until Jesus comes again will humanity see or hear anything like what the shepherds experienced the night Christ was born. Their decision to hurry to the stable in Bethlehem was prompted by the audio-Visual impact that had left them breathless. No pride or prejudice could hold them back.
When Gabriel suddenly appeared, illuminating the sky ground around them, they truly were “sore afraid.” Seldom is veil between men and the invisible world of angels lifted, and when it is, humanity is so startled and so undone by the glory that fear becomes natural reaction. Yet Gabriel came with the reassuring words “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” The Messiah they had been talking about through the long hours had just been born!
But the shepherds, like the masses in Israel, expected the Messiah o come in power. Their King would triumph over hated Roman enemy. Gabriel did not try to correct their theological misconception, but he did seek to prepare them for poverty and humiliation of the Saviour. They would find Him, just any other Hebrew infant, bathed in water, rubbed in salt, and placed diagonally on a square cloth with three ends folded over the body and feet, and tied loosely in place with strips of cloth. He would not be lying in skills, but wrapped in “swaddling clothes.” And they need not check the rooms at the local inn. They would find Him a stable. They were used to stables, but their expectations might be jarred by the fact that He would be there.
We may not see angels as the shepherds did, but we can rehearse the exhaustless theme of his birth. Then we too shall catch the glory and in spirit go to Bethlehem and afterward carry with us the exciting good news.
Jans S. Doward
from The Moment to Decide, August 17.
