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Rejoice!Friday, December 25, 2009
Luke 2:8-20 So the shepherds didn't shave and didn't put on cologne and didn't really even know what had just happened, but the angels sang to them and they left the sheep and went to their bigger job. Maybe one of them was a little OCD and didn't want to leave the sheep alone, or maybe they all were just overwhelmed. I'll bet all the sheep were still in the pasture when they got back. If sheep dogs can herd sheep, think what angels can do! Whatever I do today, I especially want to take time and ponder those things in my heart. Mary was on to something. It's called "centering prayer" and "meditation" and "being still" and "relaxation" and "internal t'ai chi" ... seeking God and finding Him. And 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. You are great, Lord, and greatly to be praised. Honor and majesty are before you; strength and beauty are in your sanctuary. We worship you in the beauty of your holiness. You reign, Lord: let the earth rejoice! You are exalted far above all gods. We sing a new song to you, for you have done marvelous things. With harp and trumpets and voices raised, as the seas roar and the hills shout praise, we will make a joyful noise! (Psalms 96, 97, 98) |
What are you doing this Christmas Day? I hope it's what you want to be doing. More family and friends or less, more solitude or less, more prayer or less, more music or less, more hot chocolate or less ... God loves you more than you know. He loves me too. Much more than I can imagine. And when he reminds me of that I relax and feel better than if I were resting in a hot tub.