And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:8-12

I wonder if it felt like a normal day for them. Did they notice how bright the night sky was? Did they notice how one star seemed to like up the hillside more than usual? I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been when the angel first appeared to them, yet it seems a peace rushed over them as they heard the angel say, “Do not be afraid.” I imagine anticipation sprouted in their hearts as they heard the words, “I bring you GOOD NEWS that will cause GREAT JOY for all the people.”

As a search this passage, there is no command to go and find the baby. The shepherds were not told what to do next, but they were compelled to go in search of the Savior. Their response was not an act of obedience to instructions but a reaction to their heart’s desire to find the sign the angel told them about. “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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.” – Luke 2:14-15

No hesitation, just pure excitement.
No delay, simply an eagerness to respond.
No complacency but instead a spark inside of them that compelled them to go.
No fear but a deep desire to worship the Messiah.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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 2:16-20

Father God, we respond to you this Christmas morning with a deep desire to worship you. You are amazing, you are magnificent, you are our everything! With hearts full of gratitude we lift up our voices in praise for all of the wonderful things you have done for us. We thank you for the gift of your Son and the joy you fill our hearts with each day. We are amazed by you and we love you! May our time in your presence continue throughout this day as we glorify and praise you for ALL the things we have heard from you and all the ways we have seen you at work in our lives this year. Amen.