Get Real November 23 Devotional
November 23, 2024
LUKE 2:8-20 | In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find the child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.
I’ve always been fascinated with the characters in the Christmas story. As you read these accounts of Jesus’ birth notice who responds to the miracle and who misses out, Joseph and Mary and the shepherds and the wise men all get front row seats for God’s arrival. Herod, the Jewish bible experts, and all the Roman officials miss the action. This passing is strange! The Jewish scholars knew all the bible references connected with the Messiah’s advent, their prayers and lives were focused on his coming and they didn’t get to the stable. Herod tried to send spies and later assassins but didn’t go a few miles himself to witness history’s greatest moment. Most of the rest of the world was simply unaware, including all the high and mighty men with titles.
These facts speak to us of God’s humility but also of our inability to adjust our expectations in order to see his surprising grace in our midst.
Herod saw Jesus as a rival. (And he was right!) Do you resist the authority of the Lord? If so, in what way?
Most of the world thought the action was in Rome, not Bethlehem. Do you ever feel that the real action can’t be at Quail Run and McDonald Drive?
Why do you think the Jewish leaders missed the miracle?
Is the action of God easy to miss in our lives also?
