Sure & Clear

Luke 2:8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
 
WHEN my granddaughters were toddlers, as I was playing with one or talking with her, my attention would drift to something else in the room. When that happened, she would put her hands on my face, turn my face to her face, look me in the eye and say, in effect, “Pay attention, Grandpa. I’m talking to you.” She got my attention. I was quickly back on track. It is important to honor our loved ones with our undivided attention, isn’t it? 
    Through Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, we see how God lovingly came to Zechariah, Mary and now the shepherds. Very powerfully, in the form of an angel and then a multitude of angels, God personally appeared to put his spiritual hands on the faces of those he had chosen for a special relationship with him. God graciously, lovingly and pointedly said to them, “I need your undivided attention. You must know you have a special role in my plan to send my Savior to the world.”
    The glory of the Lord that night over the dark sheep pastures turned the shepherds’ eyes upward to see God’s brilliant glory come down to earth. It is no wonder this announcement transformed their lives.
    When Jesus ministered to the world, he continued to demonstrate God’s glory through his preaching, his discipling, his love, his forgiveness, his healing, his death and his resurrection. Jesus wanted the world’s full attention to say, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
    Thankfully, in God’s power, countless people have paid attention since then to know God has pointed to them out of all mankind to say, “You are mine. I have a special purpose for your life.” Yes, God’s message is sure and clear. “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:7) May we all pay absolute attention to this each day of our lives.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for Jesus’ message. I submit my heart to hear your love, forgiveness and salvation for my soul. Amen.