by Donna Gibbs, LPCS
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
Luke 2:8-16 , English Standard Version
Wise men and shepherds. An interesting mix at the center of the Christmas story, don’t you think? While these varying titles and roles might seem irrelevant and insignificant to us today, they were significant in that culture, and they were all invited to a special place in the story of Christ, and for good reason. God intended that men of great intelligence, great standing, and great wealth would travel a long distance to see Christ. These men brought gifts. Likewise, shepherds who were close-by the manger scene, who didn’t have to travel, were also invited to gaze upon the miraculous birth. These lowly leaders of their flocks, who might even have smelled much like the animals they cared for, had a divine appointment. They brought no gifts, but left with a priceless gift to give others as they enthusiastically shared the story of the most miraculous birth ever.
These men, the wise men and the shepherds, shared a mission. They were looking for Jesus. They were seeking Hope! And God gave each of these men unique opportunities to seek him. Think about it… There was an army of angels rejoicing, but Mary and Joseph didn’t see them. Those sights were reserved only for the shepherds. How glorious! That guiding star? That was reserved for the wise men from the east. Amazing! These men had unique experiences that provided them with personal evidence of the birth of Jesus.
God still wants us to look for Him, and He gives each of us an opportunity to seek Him, placing unique experiences in our lives to give us personal evidence of His existence.
Indeed, the birth of Jesus brought Hope into the world. And, because He still lives, His story is still the most miraculous ever told. So maybe you relate more to the wise men. You have wealth. You have great abilities. You are well known and noticed. Or maybe you relate more easily to the shepherds. You would describe yourself as being unseen and unappreciated. Regardless of who you might most relate, I want to encourage you to consider the birth of Christ in the next few days. To do so without hindrance, you must set aside your socio-economic status (wealthy or poor). You must set-aside your emotional status (resilient or broken). Set aside your opportunities, or lack of them. Set aside your abilities and talents. Set aside your weaknesses. And look for Jesus. Seek Him. And then thank Him for how He reveals His existence so uniquely and personally to you! It may not be an army of angels or a guiding star, but if you are paying attention, you’ll likely see evidence of His existence in your personal life.
As you continue to ponder, consider the fact that you too have a significant role in the birth of Christ. You are invited to seek Jesus because Jesus was born for you. And that birth can bring Hope to you today, just as it did the wise men. Just as it did the shepherds. Whatever storm you face this holiday season, let it be approached with Hope as you look for Jesus, and reflect on the most miraculous story ever told. Yes, Hope was born!
Donna Gibbs, co-owner of Summit Wellness Centers, PLLC, is author of the recent releases, Silencing Insecurity and Becoming Resilient. Donna has authored numerous other books, and is commonly featured on radio broadcasts across America, and occasionally internationally as well. Donna has been providing individuals and families the hope and help they need for twenty years as a board-certified professional Christian counselor, and licensed professional counselor supervisor. A member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), she is a leading professional provider for Focus on the Family, Christian Care Network, r3Continuum, FINDINGbalance, and Samaritan’s Purse.
Follow Donna’s author page at https://www.facebook.com/DonnaGibbsResilience/ for daily encouragement, the weekly blog, and updates regarding events and speaking engagements.
