From the Pastor’s Pen

Final thoughts on Luke 2:20

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.                    NKJV

The subject of the shepherd’s praise should be our focus as well this season.  Christmas is not about presents, and decorations, and feasting, and football; it is about Christ Jesus, the Savior.

The shepherds praised God for what they had heard—for the good tidings of great joy that a Savior was born unto them. Let us copy them; let us also raise a song of thanksgiving that we have heard of Jesus and His wonderful salvation.

The shepherds also praised God for what they had seen. Likewise, we should praise God for what we have experienced, for what He has changed within us, what we have made our own through trusting in Him as our personal Savior. It is not enough to hear about Jesus: mere hearing may tune a harp, but the fingers of living faith must create the music. If you have seen Jesus with the God-given sight of faith, do not allow cobwebs of doubt to linger among the harp strings, but awaken your harp and loudly praise God for His saving grace.

One point for which the shepherds praised God was the agreement between what they had heard and what they had seen. Notice the last part of the sentence—“As it was told them.” Haven’t you found the gospel to be in yourselves just what the Bible said it would be? Jesus said He would give you rest—haven’t you enjoyed the sweetest peace in Him? He said you should have joy, and comfort, and life through believing in Him—haven’t you received all of these? Aren’t His ways ways of pleasantness, and His paths paths of peace? Surely you can say with the queen of Sheba, “The half was not told me.” I have found Jesus even sweeter than all His disciples ever said He was.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I looked upon Jesus’ likeness as they painted it, but it was a mere paint smear compared with Himself; for the King in his beauty outshines all imaginable loveliness. . . .  Let us, then, glorify and praise God for a Savior so precious, and so satisfying.                    Charles H. Spurgeon