For You

I often wonder what conversations, what activity, or even what the Shepherds were thinking as they sat that evening, under those stars, before the angels appeared with their message of hope. Was there a David among them, softly playing his lyre, singing a psalm, quieting the sheep--and his own heart? If so, I think I know what psalm was his favorite: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures." Perhaps the star that alerted the magi to the coming of the King, and then led them to Bethlehem, was visible in their night sky? Did they discuss among themselves its significance? Or maybe they talked of Abraham and resting in the vista of that starry night, they reflected on the promises: "Your seed will be as numerous as the stars." "In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed." And can you even imagine the magnificence of the starry sky that they could see in the dark heavens of a world without lights? Must have been like a twinkling blanket of white. Or perhaps they talked about family and home, spouses and children, or maybe, just sat in silence alert to any dangers to their flock of sheep. Hey, maybe they were complaining about having to work the "night shift"? Personally, though, I think that's the shift I would have loved to work.
They, obviously, were men of simple, and thus, profound faith. The angels' appearence to these men--and boys, I assume; shepherds in training--was not a random act. God doesn't do random. They went from feeling petrified to being overcome with ecstatic joy. The message must have seemed improbable--the Savior has come; He has been born in Bethlehem; you'll find Him wrapped in rags--a baby, and in a manger. Oh, Bethlehem, was not improbable--the city of David, but a baby, poor like them, clothed humbly like them? But yes, "for you, has been born this day in the city of David, a Savior." Yes, "for you." And so they ran, "made haste"--whatever that may have looked like--joyous wonder and expectation in motion, a flock of men seeking their Shepherd. And they had no doubts. They didn't go to see if it was true--they went to see. And having seen, they went joyously to tell--"the Savior is here. Angels told us where to find Him." And then they returned to the darkness on the hillside, and, I imagine, looking up at those innumerable stars, just like Father Abraham, believed. And it was imputed to their account as righteousness. A Savior. Born for us. The Savior through whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

Yes, for you, was born that day, a Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Yes, for you. And the message is the same: "Seek, and you will find."
Believe. Rejoice. Tell.