A Hope for all

A devotion by

Pastor Bobby

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. 15 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.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 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 2:8-20

Every year, during the Christmas season. I always go back and study the Christmas story. I try to look at the prophecies leading up to Jesus's birth. I look at Elizabeth's pregnancy with John the Baptist. And of course, I study Jesus's earthly birth. While I do this, I am always praying that God will teach me something new. Or for God to help me focus on something that I have already known, but need to refocus on it. This year as I was studying the birth of Christ. God really opened my eyes to who was all involved in the birth of Christ. These people involved were all more or less nobodies. I mean this is the birth of God in human form. The birth of the savior to all humankind. And so you would think that he would be born to a family full of kings and queens. Or at least rich and powerful landowners. However, that was not the case. There were no kings or queens at the birth of Jesus. Look at where Jesus was born. It wasn't some beautiful castle or giant house. It wasn't even indoors. It was outside, in a manger or feeding trough. However, what this really shows me is that Jesus’s birth is meant to be hope for everyone.

I know that this is common knowledge for most believers. But this does not make it any less important and amazing. The verse we read above was so powerful, because of the fact the angle of the Lord went to a bunch of shepherds. During this time, they were considered as one of the lowest class of people. Shepherds along with fishermen were just above criminals in the class structure. They were hillbillies, dirty, smelly, uneducated. Who’s only real friends they had were other shepherds, and their sheep. And yet, they were the ones who the angel of the Lord went to. So they were one of the first people to lay eyes on the savior. The first ones to see the hope for all mankind. As I said before, it wasn't kings that saw Jesus first. It was dirty hard working shepherds. And we see this theme throughout the Bible, where God uses everyone. I think He does this, because the hope of Jesus Christ is meant for everyone. But look at the other people that were involved in Jesus's birth. Mary Jesus's mother was a teenager, who was called not very nice names because she was pregnant and unmarried. Joseph Jesus's step father was a carpenter. Both Mary and Joseph would be considered nobody's. And yet both were chosen to be Jesus's earthly parents. Then if you open this up beyond the Christmas story, you will see even more cases on how God uses all types of people for His will. Which in return they as well are open up to the hope of Jesus Christ. Even the 12 disciples were a bunch of misfits. No other religious leader would choose any of the 12 disciples to be their disciples. But Jesus did. And this is because God is the one doing the work through them and through us. And this is because Jesus is truly a Hope for all. That's why the last command Jesus gave His followers was so powerful. Matthew 28 18-20 says, “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Make disciples of all nations. That includes the misfits, drug addicts, the homeless, the kings, and the shepherds.

The other amazing thing about these verses are the faith the shepherds had to accept this hope. The angel told them to go and see the Savior. Not only did they go, they left all their sheep. This shows huge faith on the shepherd's part. Because sheep were their livelihood. One of the most important things to them. But they left them behind to see the Savior, the hope of the world. And then they went on their way to tell others what they saw. This is the faith we need. The faith to accept the hope of Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas. God lowered Himself to human status as Jesus Christ. So that he could die for all mankind's sins. The key word is… All. Christmas is meant to remind us of the birth of a Savior. That is what hope for all means. Not just for rich people, but for everyone.

Have a great Christmas.