Keeping Watch…

…There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them,
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
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, good will toward men.”
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.                                Luke 2:8-20

It is that season of the year when Christians are remembering the coming of Messiah; the Lord Jesus Christ; to do His work among His people. It is a very special thing to remember His birth. His birth shows us that He is the incarnation of God; and first of all that God loves the world (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9) .

Though, I do not believe that Jesus was born in December, this is the time His birth is remembered so I will give Him the praise and glory for such remembrances. I believe lambs were born mainly in the Spring of the year, weeks before the Passover, and there would be many lambs offered for the sin sacrifice for each family. I cannot be dogmatic about that, but it seems quite clear in my thoughts and heart.

Jesus was the ultimate Passover Lamb who would die to take away our sins (John 1:29); and He did.

As we think of the shepherds, they were the lowest of the people of Israel. It is said that they could not even testify at trials and such as that. This the people God chose to reveal the birth of His Son to as first witnesses. Who better to reveal the Lamb of God to but the shepherds; and what better place for a lamb to be born than in a stable, laid in a manger.

Let us remember Him as the Baby in a manger; never forgetting He is the crucified, buried, and resurrected; ascended and coming King of kings. No longer a baby, meek and mild, but the Judge of all the earth.

 

One thought on “Keeping Watch…

  1. Pingback: Keeping Watch… — Broken Pieces | THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON...

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