The Gift of Celebration

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:15-20 NIV)

We need to try and get a mental picture of that clear, cool night when the angels paid the shepherds a visit to announce the birth and purpose of Jesus. There were no competing lights, such as city lights, so the view of the stars and planets would be clear as could be. The shepherds were likely around a little campfire, possibly eating some food after a tiring day. Since predators prowl at night looking for some tasty mutton, the shepherd’s eyes and senses would have been fully alert. Can you imagine what it would have been like to have an angel suddenly appear and begin talking about the Savior who was born a few miles away? Can you imagine those poor shepherds when a great company of angels joined the first one, and they all began singing the first Christmas carol ever recorded as they praised God and sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests?” Talk about a heavenly chorus! Here’s a point that needs to be made: the angels were celebrating, for it is the normal, responsive thing to do when we recognize the Gift from God and heaven to Earth. Even the angels celebrated it for humanity.

When the angels left, the shepherds hurried off to see Jesus. They knew something big had happened. Even though this King was not in a royal crib that was befitting of Him, the shepherds knew that it didn’t matter, for the angels didn’t make a big deal about it. However, I think it did matter to those shepherds that Jesus was in a manger rather than an expensive crib, for they understood that this Baby shared what they would have provided for their child. They had this in common. Jesus’ bed would look much like one they would have for their child. How do I know this? History says that shepherds were on the lower rung of society during that period. They would be the least in working classes in Israel. But that night, they were chosen by angles to spread the word. That night they saw a King, and perhaps this King would one day understand what their children would face as they grew up. Don’t you know those shepherds were celebrating that night? We would have to be one of them to understand just how great this news was. Yes, they celebrated, just like the angels did. They “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Possibly you think our gifts to Jesus have been the ugliness of our life, and you wonder if this is right. However, if we know the heart of Jesus, we understand that giving these things to Him and being given His wonderful gifts results in a transformed life. This is the life that will honor Christ and the greatest gift we can give Him. That is why He welcomes all the ugly conditions of our life for transformation because, in this process, He gets back a man or woman after His own heart. Therefore, let’s give Him one more gift this week. Let’s give Him our celebration. I ask you to give Jesus your gift of celebrating what He has done for humanity and you. Allow that which stirs you this time of year to stir your heart into chorus praise to your King. If you sing, that is ok. If not, that is fine as long as your words and thoughts are deep within you with recognition of what that night in Bethlehem means to you. When we gift Jesus our gift of celebration and praise, He, in return, gives us a gift of amazement and joy. There is a reason we sing Joy to the World. When we recognize God’s gift to us, it gives us joy.