“And shepherds were living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” – Luke 2:8 (NIV)
Have you ever looked back on your life and realized God knew what he was doing all along? Perception of life in hindsight compels me to marvel at God’s wisdom. The year 2020 will go down in history as the year of unknown certainties. This year stirred up raw emotions, deliberately pricking each pressure point of humanity. However, I’m confident when looking back we see God had a purpose in it all.
Our God is a planner. He is the Master of His symphony. Everything has an intentional design, including 2020. I realize with Christmas around the corner; some traditions might change. However, Christmas is not defined by our familiar customs but by the birth of Jesus. Even though we wrap tradition around this season, the birth of Jesus was untraditional but completely intentional.
The journey Mary and Joseph traveled was intentional to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah. When Mary and Joseph arrived at the inn and found no room, I wondered how they felt. Did they feel rejected? Did they see animal stalls as a blessing or a foul odor they had to endure? And when Jesus was born, was there no other place than a food trough to place the King of kings?
No matter their emotions or even our bewilderment, they were exactly where they needed to be. It was all apart of God’s plan.
Did God intend for Mary and Joseph to give birth in a barn? YES.
Why?
I believe for the birthday celebration, Mary and Joseph camped in a barn because of the first guests God planned to invite. Luke 2: 8 introduces us to the first guests receiving the news of the Messiah.
“And shepherds were living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” – Luke 2:8 (NIV)
These shepherds lived in the fields. They tended to the sheep day and night. Instead of placing their sheep in a pin for the night, they took turns watching over the flock and slept under the open sky. They lived among their sheep, and they probably smelled like their sheep. Shepherds were considered the lowest of the Jewish people. Even in a court of law, their testimony would not be found credible. But God…had plans for these men.
Luke 2:9-11 (NIV) “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
These shepherds were strategically in place to receive the Good NEWS! Where did the angel send to shepherds? To find the babe wrapped in a manger. (Luke 2:12)
The only place a manager would be found is in an animal stall—a place familiar to a shepherd and even comfortable entering. God was so international, providing the animals’ shelter for Mary and Joseph. Even though nothing about that day seemed traditional, it was completely intentional.
So this Christmas Eve, when traditions are changed and service host online-only, maybe your church is offering 12 services and requesting masks to be worn, or maybe a relative won’t be joining you this year. Whatever tradition might be shifting this year, remember two things:
- Tradition doesn’t define this season. Christ is the reason we have this season.
- God is intentional in every detail.
So this Christmas, be intentional!!! Celebrate the Savior’s birthday by choosing to glorify His name. There is much we have to be thankful for, and the first and foremost is the birth of our Savior Jesus.
How do we heal from the SBC Sexual Assult Scandal?
I want to be a part of the solution, not the cause of more injuries. As a survivor, I understand the fear of the pain when reflecting on the past. News reports of more instances of people experiencing an injustice prick wounds buried deep. It has taken me years to find the courage to speak up about the criminal acts done to me. And it has taken even longer to embrace those pain points and filter them through the blood of Jesus. I by no means am completely healed from these wounds, but I am healing. This journey will be long but worth it.
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I repeat, God is a good God! We say this phrase quite frequently. Sometimes the statement rolls off our tongue and is spoken with conviction.
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How do you see yourself? Our perspective about ourselves determines the way we seek to love. We either embrace or deflect true love for ourselves depending on how we view ourselves. If we seek love in all the wrong places, then ask ourselves, “I am worthy of love?”
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Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing the real meaning of Christmas and that God was very intentional. He is in every moment of our lives IF only we will stop just a moment and look to see Him in that moment. I love the way you see the shepherds, God chooses each and every one of us intentionally.
May God bless you very intentionally.