There once were three little girls named Julie, Shelby, & Alaina. They came over to visit girls named Jen & Catie. They made chocolate-covered pretzels, watched I'll Be Home For Christmas featuring J.T.T., and rapped their testimonies. (No, not wrapped, but really "rapped") If you don't know how to rap, I'll teach you.
The End.
Like my story? It's a true story. One that unfolded today. Today is Tuesday, December 21nd. Try saying 21nd. Can you believe that? Three days until Christmas! I just can't wait until Christmas day. Luke 2:8-20 captures my excitement:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks night. 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.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told"
Like that story? That's not a story that I wrote. Luke wrote it. Well, actually God wrote it, but Luke was the transcriber. I'm so thankful for my dear friend Luke. He was such a descriptive writer, and gives such an amazing account of the story of Jesus. I wish I could remember details like he did. Can't wait to meet that guy. I always imagine him as Leonardo DaVinci with a long white beard and frail hands. But Luke wasn't of European descent....so....
Anyway. I've just been falling in love with the gospel of Luke in the last few weeks. I've never really been drawn into the Christmas story quite like I have this year. The lines that stand out to me in this chunk of verses are these:
...and the glory of the Lord shone around them...
I have never though about how God's glory can shine around you. I picture it in my head as a golden, warm blanket. Or maybe like Beauty & the Beast's Beast transformation. I also love it that the shepherds were terrified. Not in the fact that they were scared, but that the angel had just said the same thing to Mary a few verses beforehand. Angels must be pretty intense. None of this flowery crown-on-my-head with a cute-baby-butt thing.
...Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel...
A great company of the heavenly host was a lot of host. I have also never really envisioned this great company as more than a handful of angels with lutes and togas. Seriously! Aren't I ridiculous?! The pastor of my church that I'm currently attending pointed this out last Sunday, and it was something that I had just recently picked up on: there were A LOT of angels! And, I'm pretty sure that angels play instruments too. At least they play the horn. I know that for sure. But I'm pretty sure they play other things too. Cool things. Like the Dulcimer. : ) My point? It was loud. And awesome. And good reason to pee your pants.
...When they had seen him, they spread the word...
What had they been told? A Savior had been born! The Messiah, the Lord! I mean, these shepherds were pumped! They couldn't shut up. How do you think people responded to them? Were they seen as loons? Did people think they were telling the truth? Did more people show up at the stable as a result?
...all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them...
They actually believed the shepherds. Those crazy people. Do you think any of the children that heard those shepherds saw Jesus later, as an adult? Do you think that they remembered those shepherds? Those humble, crazy, possibly smelly people who were invited into the celebration of Jesus' birth, and unashamedly proclaimed their excitement?
...The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told...Those shepherds were pumped. Do you think Mary let them hold her firstborn son? All I know is that I know their feeling: glorifying and praising God is all I can think of doing when I think of all that I have heard and seen. They were probably singing so many wonderful songs of celebration, and having a blast rounding up all of the stupid sheep that had wandered off while they were in Bethlehem. I mean, unless they took the sheep with them to the town.
What did they do with all of those sheep?
