Scripture Reading:
- Luke 2:14-18
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:14-18
Have you ever witnessed something amazing?
I was driving from Texas to Colorado in June of 2022. Texas has these non-native deer called Axis deer. They are much smaller than the native deer and they are easy to spot because they have spots. I missed my exit in the middle of nowhere and my gps re-routed me to take the next exit. No big deal, it would just add an extra few minutes to the drive. The road I was driving on gave roller coaster roads a whole new name. The sun was just barely up and all I saw were these axis deer, everywhere. I slowed down because they were making really bad choices and crossing the road ahead of me. One particular tall hill I came up over, on the other side I could see something small in the middle of it at the bottom. I came t a quick stop and my eyes focused on this barely hours old fawn crossing the road. This baby was so new to the world, it was wet. It was trying to hurry but its little hooves just weren’t ready for that kind of hurry. Mama was just on the other side. When it got to the edge of the road, it was a bit steep and it stumbled and fell. At this point my heart ached for the little one to just be with mom. It got up, shook off and started crying for mom. You all! It never occurred to me that fawns make sounds. They sound similar to baby goats crying out for mom. The little one eventually tumbled over to its mom who at this point was in the trees. I actually got it all on video. My cell reception was terrible, but I stumbled upon a sleepy little town.
I decided to stop and use the amenities at the gas station. I couldn’t wait to share what I witness with someone who I thought might find the same joy in the experience as I did. I sent them the video and texts of all the details.
When we experience something with great joy, our first instinct is to share it with others. We call, text, and make social media posts. Why? Because we want others to experience and share in our joy. It is why we take pictures at social occasions and events. To share and to remember.
In the Gospel of Luke, we read about one of the most amazing supernatural events, ever! And who did we learn witnessed it? A bunch of humble shepherds! Just try for a moment to imagine what all they saw! Fair warning tho: what you are imagining, does not even come close to the infinitely aw-inspiring scene that took place on the night of Jesus’ birth!
Here is what we know: an angel of the Lord appeared and declared the Messiah had arrived. Then a whole host, and army of angels filled the sky and proclaimed:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!Luke 2:14
The collective skill of Hollywood with all its AI and technology could never capture the majesty of this moment. One minute the shepherds were resting as they did every night and the next minute they are watching one of the most indescribably epic moments in history!
I’m going to do something I try hard not to do while writing. ‘m going to rabbit trail. Why can we not describe our own encounter with God and the His Son or Holy Spirit? Have you ever noticed that? Have you ever tried to describe being in the presence of the Lord to others? Or have you ever encountered someone who has just had a life changing encounter and as they are trying to explain it, it does not seem to make sense? I do not know if this would hold up in the curt of the Lord, but I believe it is because we are using corrupted worldly speech to try and describe what is pure and Holy. There are no words to compare Him to. If I told you peace was like a slow rain that pitter patters on the roof (for example), you can imagine that situation. Maybe you do not like rain. Maybe your intellectual and trying to wrap your mind around what or how that is peaceful. Maybe your methodical and and can relate but it doesn’t resonate. I believe we can not explain it because eventually that rain stops. But God does not, so while the fleeting moment may reflect a sense of truth the actual reality is it can not encompass the Holiness of our Lord God.
Okay, back to our story, right now, as we reflect on the moment the shepherds we might think that it was the greatest moment ever. Nothing can top what they saw and heard, right? Let us look deeper.
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:15-16
God in the flesh. The creator of the universe, King of kings and Lord of lords….right before their very eyes!
They got to meet the Messiah! The got to worship at the feet of the Wonderful Counselor. They may have even gotten to hold in their arms the One who holds the universe together. There is literally nothing in history that can compare to this moment when God became man.
What did they do next?
17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,
Luke 2:17
They went and told everyone who would listen!
“Hey!! The Messiah has come, we have seen Him! The angels told us where to go and I got to hold the Messiah! I was in the very presence of the Lord!”
But let us pause for a moment and think about this for a moment: These men got to see Jesus, but we have Jesus living within our very hearts. While they got to hold Him, we get to be held by Him.
Today everyone shares everything. We have become a society of over-sharers. How about we let the Lord use this season as He did with the shepherds, to share the greatest news you have every received! Lets g out and tell the world the Gospel news with the same excitement and joy as we do the rest of our life!
© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.
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