As night fell in the hills outside of the city of David (called Bethlehem), the shepherds went about their work of looking after the sheep in their care. They probably made their rounds to make sure the flock was settled for the night before they themselves ate a meal, made jokes, and kidded each other. These shepherds were probably looking forward to sleeping until their turn came to watch over the sheep. Little did they know they were about to witness the most spectacular thing anyone could ever imagine. While they were mesmerized by the star from the heavens shining in the direction of the city, they weren’t expecting to hear the voice of the angel of the Lord announcing good news – the birth of Jesus. The angel’s words in the form of instructions (signs) demanded that the shepherds leave the sheep, look for a place where cattle were sheltered, and find in a manger the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. And, if all this wasn’t enough, there were astounded to hear a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God. The journey to Bethlehem by the shepherds was not about the physical act of walking from one place to another - more, it encompassed God’s majesty in the design to have simple shepherd folk witness the arrival of the long awaited Messiah. If only we could pay attention to the miracles -large and small - God performs daily, we might, like the shepherds, discover an AWESOME journey!!!!!
