To be like the shepherds...

When I read the account of Christ's birth, I always find myself pondering about the shepherds.  I am amazed that God would choose to tell them first that the Saviour had been born.  They were not the most prominent of society; they slept with the sheep in the fields; they were probably dirty and would have been passed by without a second thought.  But God chose them.  He sent the Heavenly Hosts to get their attention - and get it, he did.  They were terrified, but that turned into excitement.  No hesitation, no questions - they simply went to find the Christ child.  Not only did they find him, they told everyone they met that the Saviour had come. 

I'm nobody special, but God has chosen me - just like he chose the shepherds.  I differ from the shepherds though - I'm not always so quick to share the excitement of Christ's birth and sacrifice.  Sometimes I think I haven't gotten past the terrified part.  I worry too much about what others will think of me.  I'm selfish.

This Christmas, I don't only want to remember Christ's birth, I want to share the joy of the salvation that comes from it.  I want to have the star shining so bright from within that like the wisemen, people are drawn to the manger.  At the foot of the manger, we find the foot of the cross.  Christ sacrificed so much - not only leaving his heavenly throne to walk this earth, but leaving it knowing the way his time on earth would end.  I don't make the sacrifice - he already did.  I simply reap his blessings.  What a wonderful gift to share.