“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:14
The most wonderful event in history occurred one night in the city of David. Mary gave birth to her first Child, a Son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in the manger because there was no room for them in the village inn.
Prophecy was fulfilled. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child. She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel—‘God is with us’” (Isaiah 7:14) The birth of Jesus was something to celebrate. An angel, excited about the good news, went and told the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David. And this is how you will recognize Him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth” (Luke 2:10-12).
Excited, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (verse 15). They rushed off and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had told them about this Child. All those who were present were amazed to hear the shepherds’ testimony. The shepherds returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them and because they had seen the Child just as the angel had said.
Could you imagine being one of those shepherds? You are sitting there watching your flock and then an angel of the Lord suddenly appears to tell you that the Messiah—the Savior you had waited for so long is born? Not only that—the angel tells you where you can find Him and how to recognize Him. You and the other shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem and you see the baby. You see the face of your Savior. He is a Baby that would grow up into a Man who would touch the lives of many. Mary kept these things in her heart and thought about them often. Like her, we should treasure the things we know and learn about Jesus and think about them often.
During this holiday season many people think only about the birth of Jesus but how about thinking about His life, His ministry, His death and resurrection too? Treasure not just Jesus the newborn babe lying in the manger, but treasure the Man, Messiah, Savior, Lord and King.
Have a blessed Christmas, everyone.
Notes to Women 