Night Shift

Luke 1:8
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.

When the shepherds got up that morning, they did not expect to have an encounter with God unlike any other in the history of the world.
As they made their way to the fields, they were concerned with the weather.
With family matters.
They maybe even had some health issues.
Maybe they were depressed or in despair because of the job they had.
It really doesn't matter because the very last thought on their minds was, "Hey! We're going to meet God tonight."

Isn't that just like God to surprise us when we least expect it?
Maybe the thought for the day is Keep an open mind and keep looking for God to speak to you.
I like it that God came to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus.
He didn't go to the government.
He didn't show up at the Temple.
God came to a group of men outside the city, at night when every one else was at rest.
There on that hillside, surrounded by sheep, God proclaimed "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior---yes, the Messiah, the Lord---has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of of David!"
And that news has rippled through time until here in 2010 it is still as powerful as the night it was proclaimed on that hillside outside of Bethlehem.
No longer would the power of sin hold sway over mankind.
The Messiah was now present to break its power and release humanity to freedom.
Now if that don't set you on fire............your wood is wet.

Enjoy this Christmas season like no other.
Find the joy in the good news of salvation.
Shout with joy for the birth of the Christ child who would grow and become the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. What an incredible thought!

Merry Christmas from the Bynum household.
God on you....
mb