Let Us Go and See!

“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.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:13-20

Immediate recognition that this was a heavenly message prompted the nightshift shepherds’ immediate response to go. Hearts and feet quickened, they had to see this child of promise. Glad compulsion drove them to the manger. The awe at this magnetic, mysterious, marvelous crude birth was palpable, and into its hush they relayed the angels’ message to the wonder of all present. Only then, in returning to their dark fields, they spilled over with praise and irrepressible joy at all they’d heard and seen.

The Lord is with His people every day. His appearing is not often spectacular, but is significant. Pondering the eternal and supernatural in the crush of temporal busyness prepares us to be aware of His presence. It takes faith-filled expectancy and daily focus to keep Him at the fore, and receptive hearts to welcome His wonders. And hearts thus filled spill over- we want with all our might to go and tell.

Are we watching for Him as we go about our work? Do we stay attuned to hear how He teaches, warns, and leads us through long hours? Are we keen to see glimpses of His glory in our mundane?

How then do we spread His light? For whom are we praying to be receptive, to be willing to ponder and receive the truth about Christ? Have we cultivated relationships enough to be able to enter with the great news of the peace Jesus brings? How can we seize on another’s wonder to point them to God in the highest? How consistent are we then in praising Him for these privileges?

“Angels we have heard on high,
sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the new-born King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!” ~Traditional French carol (18th century)

Lord, may I always glorify You in the highest with ready praise, and gladly share Your exaltation and promises with those around me.