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Years ago, I invited a young kid up on stage during a sermon to open a present to help depict what happened with the angels and the shepherds. As this little guy ripped the present open, he was excited and surprised by what was inside: a horn. What in the world does a blow horn have to do with Christmas? I would say everything! It was a heavenly blow horn that hovered over those shepherds on that otherwise quiet first Christmas.
Our verse today says that the shepherds were greatly afraid. They weren’t just greatly afraid, they were terrified! This is exactly what God’s Presence is meant to represent for us. It’s like a good wake-up call. That’s exactly what the angels meant to do—to barge into their lives and say, “Hey! Everything’s different now. Everything that you’ve been waiting for has now arrived.”
I love the shepherds’ response. They say, “Let us now go.” Not, “Well, let’s think about it.” Not, “When we get around to it.” Certainly not, “Well, I don’t know if I can get off work to do this.”
They said, “Let us now go.” Just like they heard a starting horn—ready, get set, go!— they were off to Bethlehem to find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. Those shepherds dropped everything, and everything became about one thing. Has that happened for you? Is Jesus everything you live for?
The horn of Heaven got the shepherds’ attention. They listened carefully, and they were off. God wants us to listen up. There’s a lot happening in the world right now. There are a lot of things coming down the pike, and if you are out of the earshot of God, it’s time to get closer. It’s time to wake up, catch up, and keep up. It’s time to listen up, like the shepherds did. It’s also time to look up.
Why should we look up? Because there is another horn that’s about to blow. It’s called the Rapture horn. Are you living to hear the sound of that horn? 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.”
It’s going to sound. I hope and pray that you are living your life to hear that horn, because it represents the gift of his Presence in your life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You are coming again soon! I am waiting eagerly for Your coming and Your presence. Let my ears always be listening for Your call!
Amen
Our verse today says that the shepherds were greatly afraid. They weren’t just greatly afraid, they were terrified! This is exactly what God’s Presence is meant to represent for us. It’s like a good wake-up call. That’s exactly what the angels meant to do—to barge into their lives and say, “Hey! Everything’s different now. Everything that you’ve been waiting for has now arrived.”
I love the shepherds’ response. They say, “Let us now go.” Not, “Well, let’s think about it.” Not, “When we get around to it.” Certainly not, “Well, I don’t know if I can get off work to do this.”
They said, “Let us now go.” Just like they heard a starting horn—ready, get set, go!— they were off to Bethlehem to find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. Those shepherds dropped everything, and everything became about one thing. Has that happened for you? Is Jesus everything you live for?
The horn of Heaven got the shepherds’ attention. They listened carefully, and they were off. God wants us to listen up. There’s a lot happening in the world right now. There are a lot of things coming down the pike, and if you are out of the earshot of God, it’s time to get closer. It’s time to wake up, catch up, and keep up. It’s time to listen up, like the shepherds did. It’s also time to look up.
Why should we look up? Because there is another horn that’s about to blow. It’s called the Rapture horn. Are you living to hear the sound of that horn? 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.”
It’s going to sound. I hope and pray that you are living your life to hear that horn, because it represents the gift of his Presence in your life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You are coming again soon! I am waiting eagerly for Your coming and Your presence. Let my ears always be listening for Your call!
Amen
Scripture
About this Plan
Filled with scripture and challenges directly from the Word of God, Face to Faith encourages the reader to daily encounter the Heavenly Father and experience a deeper relationship with him. Drawing on many years of fruitful ministry and deep communion with God, Pastor Bob Botsford carefully guides each devotion, inspiring the reader to realize the abundant life that is promised in the Bible.
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We would like to thank Horizon Christian Fellowship for this plan. For more information, please visit: www.horizon.org
