Do you like to hold newborn babies? Are you afraid you will hurt them? Do you think they are fragile? Are you over caring, overreacting to every sneeze, cough, or cry? How would you feel if you had been Mary holding the newborn baby Jesus?
We all react differently with newborns. Some of us can’t wait to cuddle them in our arms. Others don’t want to hold them; afraid we will do something wrong. We all know that newborn babies are to be handled with care. Yet, we do not need to be afraid of them.
The shepherds were told there was a newborn a few miles from where they were tending their sheep. But it wasn’t just any newborn, it was the Messiah, the Lord. The word translated into English as Lord, is Yahweh. This was one name the Jews used to identify God. In other words, the angel told the shepherds the newborn was God coming into his creation.
Can you imagine?! An angel says that God, the very God the Jews went to the temple to worship, was coming into the world as a newborn baby. How amazing is that?! Is it any wonder the shepherds rushed off to go see what was happening? God was coming to his people. He was coming to save them. He was fulfilling his promise.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we should remember that He was God coming into the world. Jesus came with a purpose. He came to be our perfect Savior. He came to teach the meaning of God’s Word. He came to show us that God cares. He came to show God’s love.
I pray we all are amazed at the birth of Jesus. I pray we are in awe of God coming into his creation. I pray each one of us celebrate Jesus’ birth with thanks, praise, and love. Remember God came into his creation. Celebrate Jesus’ birth. Know that Jesus is your Savior. Accept His gift of love.
Luke 2:10-12 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Marty Pressey 