Shepherds and a baby.

So, it's Christmas. Well not techinically THE day yet, but close enough. I was able to go to the States for a few weeks just a short while ago and both there and here, when I look around all I see is pretty decorations and people. Lots and lots of people. Shopping, decorating, and more people. I see the consumer side of this holiday taking over the true meaning of this holiday, which is the celebration of the birth of a baby, who was born in a manger, with some of his first guests being shepherds. This is my favorite. 

8 "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

I wonder how the shepherds felt. They weren't just in the fields by chance, nope. They were living there. And shepherds take care of sheep day in and day out. So they probably, I'd assume, were a little smelly, a little unkempt, and filled with quite a bit of shock. Ok, they were terrified. I mean, wouldn't you be too? Sitting around, guarding your sheep, making sure that nothing happens to them and *hallelujah* brilliant light. The glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified. But without reason because our Savior was born! So what did they do? They ran to find Jesus, Mary and Joseph. And find Him they did! They told everyone what they had seen! They had seen the Messiah, born in a way no one expected. Born in a way that people didn't believe possible. So they kept searching for what was right there in front of them. But the shephereds knew. They knew this tiny baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger, whose birth the angels announced...he was the King. The Lord. Emmanuel. God, in the form of a tiny baby, here to save us. 

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the Highest, and peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.

Let's remember the real reason we celebrate this day. It's not about cookies and presents, but about the joy, grace, mercy, peace and hope that we have received through the greatest present of all, Jesus.