December 24 Believe

Luke 2:16-18 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
 
CAN you imagine the conversations the shepherds had with people after they had left the Christ child? “Hey everyone, we have some great news! We were watching our sheep. Then suddenly an angel appeared in the sky. He told us the Savior was in a manger here in Bethlehem. Then the sky was filled with angels praising God! We then went to that stable just up the street. It was so amazing – just as the angel said. We saw the baby Savior of the world!”
     “Yeah, right guys. What are you drinking out there in the pasture? The Messiah is born in a stable? Guys, you have to do better than that.”
     “Hey everyone, here’s some great news. God’s Word says that Jesus loves you. The message of all the Prophets and the Apostles is that you can trust Jesus, the Savior, to guide you into a loving relationship with the holy God. He offers to you a faith to free you from doubts, fears and sin. His ways will bring you into a true relationship of joy and peace with God! What’s more, he is the way to eternal life!”
     “Yeah, right. You have to do better than that.”
     Too many times the truth isn’t enough for people, is it? Perhaps God’s truth is too easy or too simple to believe. Perhaps it is too loving to understand. But as we see the Messiah come to Bethlehem, we see God demonstrate his desire to enter into all mankind through the simple act of saying, “I believe.”.
     Luke and all of Scripture tell us a Savior is God’s ultimate possibility for all who open their heart to believe in the Savior come. He changes minds. He changes hearts. He changes attitudes. He changes your life forever.
 
Prayer: Open my heart, mind and soul, Holy Spirit, so I will surely believe in Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.