The Shepherds’ Worship: A Journey of Faith and Praise
As suddenly as they had appeared, the angels departed, leaving the shepherds alone under the vast, starry sky. The heavenly chorus had ceased, and the glory of the Lord that had illuminated the fields faded into the quiet of the night. But the shepherds were not the same. Their hearts still pounding from the miraculous encounter were filled with wonder and urgency. They turned to one another and exclaimed, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us!” (Luke 2:15).
They did not wait. There were no deliberations about their responsibilities or the risk of leaving their flocks unattended. How could they delay when the Savior, the Christ, was in Bethlehem? When God’s word instructs us, it requires immediate action motivated by love. With haste, they ran toward the small town, their anticipation building with every step.
The Silence Shattered: Trusting God’s Timing in Unexpected Circumstances
Through the decree of Augustus, the Roman Empire unknowingly became an instrument in the hands of God. The census demanded that every man return to his ancestral town, ensuring that Joseph, of the house and lineage of David, would take Mary to Bethlehem—the place where the Messiah would be born. Micah 5:2 had foretold this centuries earlier: "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
Obedience in Silence: Trusting God While Others Watch
It was the custom for a firstborn son to carry his father’s name or that of a close relative. It honored the family and carried forward its legacy. So when Elizabeth, with unwavering resolve, declared, “No; he shall be called John,” the room must have fallen silent.
Confused glances darted back and forth. Whispers rose like steam when you pull the lid off a boiling pot from the crowd. "None of your relatives is called by this name," someone protested (Luke 1:61). Why John? Why abandon tradition for something so unexpected?