“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 2:17-20 NIV)
Most people consider their daily routines as rather dull and ordinary, perhaps boring. That is why the TGIF cliché has become commonplace. It is why most of us dread the arrival of Monday morning. It seems that none of us relish a return to our routines . . . work to do . . . bills to pay . . . kids to raise . . . responsibilities to fulfill . And some of them are not fun to complete.
After their visit to the newborn in the manger, the shepherds “spread the word” of the child and returned to their sheep praising and glorifying God. Something they experienced at the manger transformed their attitudes and lives. Their routines would never again be ordinary. Shepherding would no longer be “business as usual.”
The busyness of Christmas is a letdown. The excitement of Christmas celebrations loses its joy and enthusiasm as soon as the last present is opened. The drudgery of removing and storing the decorations explodes around us like a frigid north wind, with gusts of reality. The momentary fantasy of Christmas present becomes the cold reality of Christmas past, and we return to our mundane routines.
Yet when we enter the presence of God, we are never the same thereafter. Our outlook on life takes on a new perspective. Our response to the issues of life take on new meaning. The Christ of Christmas changes us forever. We see the miracles wrapped in cloths of everyday life. We find them in the manger of our humble routine. No more ordinary. Everything is extraordinary. We can now spread the word about the Christ of Christmas. We can now glorify and praise his name!
Dear Father, thank you for the Christ who came to us at that first Christmas. Empower us to spread the good news about him. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as you glorify and praise his name,