Luk0208-15 Shepherd Told of the Birth of the Messiah.jpg
Angels appear to shepherds
 
Joseph and Mary were nearly finished their long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They were tired and so was the donkey that Mary rode. Many other travellers were going in the same direction to register for taxes just like them. They hoped that when they arrived that they would find somewhere to stay.

As they entered in through the city gates they saw that it was filled to capacity. Their hearts sank. How would they ever find somewhere to stay when there were already this many people in town. Slowly they started down the street knocking on doors and asking for a room, but there was none. Finally they knocked at the door of an inn but the inn keeper had no room either. His rooms had long since filled up. As he looked at them he realised that Mary would have a baby very soon and came up with an idea. It was not much, and most people probably would have said no, but he offered them his stable.

The stable was like a cave on the side of a hill. The inn keeper kept some animals in there at night, so it did not smell very good. It did, however, have nice soft straw with which they could make a bed to sleep on. There was also a stone feed trough or manger that could be used for a bed for the baby should it be born while they were there. As the inn keeper said, it was not much, but it was better than nothing. So they took it.

Joseph helped Mary off the donkey and put the donkey in one of the stalls. Then he made a bed for Mary and himself, and they laid down to rest. That night in the inn keepers stable a baby was born to Mary. This baby was not just an ordinary baby. Oh no! He was very special. He was the Messiah or Saviour of the whole world. They called him Jesus, just like the angel told them to. Mary and Joseph were very happy.

The angels were happy too. Some came this earth to tell someone the glad news. The flew all over the world looking for someone who was looking for and prepared to meet the Messiah. But they could not find anyone. They were just about ready to go back to heaven when they saw some shepherds in a field minding their sheep. They were talking about the prophecies of the Messiah and saying how it was about time for Him to come.

As they were talking an angel appeared to them. He was so bright that he scared them. However, the angel told them to fear not. He had some very good news for them. The Messiah was here. He had been born this day in the city of David. They could find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This news filled the shepherds hearts with joy. Just then the rest of the angels appeared also, lighting up the whole sky. In the most beautiful tones they sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Slowly the angels moved away. The shepherds jumped up with excitement and ran to the city of Bethlehem. They were on a mission to find the Messiah. How much searching they had to do before they found Him we are not told. But they did find Him just like the angel said they would. The baby was lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes.

The shepherds who usually cared for sheep, this night came and worshipped the Lamb of God. They knelt before the infant king, worshipping Him as only God should be worshipped. They did not break the second commandment by doing this for Jesus Christ was Emmanuel - God with us.

After a while the shepherds left, and as they went their way they told everyone they met what had happened that night. They told about the angels and the Christ child. All the people who heard what that shepherds had to say wondered about it. Could what these shepherds be true? They were so excited. Maybe they were drunk? Maybe they just had a bad dream? Maybe they were making it all up? Maybe what they said was true? Maybe the Messiah had been born that night in a stable? They wondered, and wondered.

News of the shepherds story spread far and wide. Remember there were lots of people in Bethlehem that lived in other places. As they returned to their homes they repeated to others the strange story that the shepherds had told. The story even reached the priests, elders, and rabbis in Jerusalem, but they had treated it as unworthy of their notice.

The shepherds were privileged to see angels and hear their message. We are just as privileged today to be able to read God's Word the Holy Bible. Not only can we read this story, but many, many more.

(Luke 2:1-20 Jesuspriv)

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BIBLE - WEB, KJV, ASV(Quiz), NIV,
개역한글KHRV( 120일1독, 1년1독, 권별, 성경통독 )
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성경연대표 1.창조 2.족장 3.출애굽 4.광야 5.정복 6.사사 7.통일왕국 8.분열왕국 9.포로 10.포로귀환 11.중간 12.예수 13.초대교회 14.세계선교

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