Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 CSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 CSB

Mary and Joseph had finally made it to Bethlehem. When no room was to be found in the crowded town, a caring innkeeper offered them the only space he had, his stable. And so, God’s Son, our Savior, the Messiah, the Christ was born in the lowliest of places, an animal stable.

The birth was unnoticed, uncelebrated, unwelcomed, and unimportant until…the angel appeared to the shepherds. The angel did not go to Herod or to the Pharisees or to the scribes or to the temple. The angel went to the common man, to the lowly shepherds and proclaimed the good news for “all people” that in Bethlehem a Savior is born. The Messiah is here!

The Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled in the birth of the Lord Jesus. The shepherds believed the news and went into Bethlehem and found the baby Jesus just as the angel had told them. They praised God and worshipped the babe. And then they went and told all the people they met about the angels and the birth of the Messiah. They praised and glorified God.

I can’t imagine what Mary and Joseph are thinking. They have a son, God’s Son. The shepherds come in and find them and relate all the things that the angel told them and describe the angel chorus singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!” Luke 2:14 What will their future be? What will their son’s future be?

The shepherds leave to tell others about the Messiah born in Bethlehem and all are amazed. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. Luke 2:19 Mary doesn’t know her son’s future, only that He is God’s Son. Each event and comment causes Mary to treasure and ponder them in her heart as Jesus grows. Mary was at His birth as well as at the cross.

This Christmas let’s treasure in our hearts, like Mary, God’s love given as the greatest gift of all, His Son, Jesus, our Savior, and our Lord. And like the shepherds let’s share the good news of the Messiah, born in Bethlehem thousands of years ago, but still forgiving and saving today.

Merry Christmas!

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me today as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus!

Blessings and joy as we share the good news with others!