The Visitors

How amazing that when the Lord of Glory was born into our world, news of His arrival wasn’t taken first to ‘the great and the good’, but rather to ordinary working men of the day – shepherds, who were often looked down on. Being a shepherd was tough work. It meant being ready to deal with wild animals that might attack, or with robbers who might try to steal – not to mention being out in all weathers. Yet when these tough guys encountered the angel who brought God’s message to them, and the host of angels that joined him, they were terrified and needed reassurance. So if that doesn’t bring home that angels aren’t fluffy creatures in white robes with feathery wings, but rather awesome spiritual beings, then what does?!

And what was the message that they brought? The lead angel announced the birth of the long-expected Messiah. As confirmation of the truth of his message, he gave the shepherds a sign: ‘You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’ (Luke 8:12 NIV). Wrapping a baby in strips of cloth wasn’t unusual in those days (it was believed it helped keep their limbs straight and strong); but to find a baby in a manger – a feeding trough – was unusual beyond belief. Yet they would find it to be exactly as the angel had said.

The heavenly choir then burst into song: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’ (v. 14 NIVUK). As far as the Roman Empire was concerned, it and it alone gave peace to the world – the famous ‘Pax Romana’, brought about by a sword. But the angels declare that true peace will never be found through a sword, but only by those on whom this child’s favour rests.

While the people who heard the shepherds’ story were ‘amazed (v. 18 NIV), Mary simply ‘treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart’ (v. 19 NIV). She was wise to do so, for there would be difficult days and years ahead – days when she would need to remember all that God had said and done.

Today, when we see God do something amazing or answer prayer, do we just get excited, like the shepherds? Or do we treasure it and hide it in our heart, there to be drawn on when the days get tough?