Feast of the Nativity of our Lord
Posted on December 25, 2021 by under
Scripture: St Luke 2:15-20 (NKJV)
2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Devotion
The shepherds could have stayed out in their fields. The angel didn’t command them to go searching for the Savior who was Christ the Lord; he simply told them how to find Him. Their Lord would be the Baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. (Of course! Where else would one find the Creator of all?)
But the shepherds were excited to see the Child, so they hurried to find Him, and find Him they did. And their excitement didn’t subside. On the contrary, it grew when they saw the confirmation of the angel’s message and as they began to ponder, along with Mary, what it meant that the Christ had finally come, and the way in which He had come. It changed nothing, and yet, it changed everything. They would return to their flocks and go on with their lives. However, they would do it with the knowledge that God had come to earth; that He had kept His promises to Israel; that He was so zealous for their salvation that He would submit to wearing diapers and lying where animals fed.
How would His birth change the world? You’ve seen how. It’s at once tragic and glorious. How will the coming of Christ continue to affect the world in these last days? Only God knows. But like the shepherds, you know that He loves you and that He keeps His promises. So rejoice today in the birth of your Lord!
Prayer: Stir up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power, and come, and with great might, succor us, that by the help of Thy grace whatsoever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished, through Thy mercy and satisfaction; Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new Birth of Thine Only-Begotten Son in the flesh may set us free who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
