Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-18
“Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush.” – Anonymous
Luke 2:8-18 tells us that on the night of Jesus’ birth, angels appeared to the shepherds and told them that the Savior had been born. The angels told the shepherds that they would find the baby lying in a manger. The shepherds then “hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
I suspect that as the shepherds approached the manger, they did so quietly, in an “expectant hush.”
Why?
First, the shepherds came near to Jesus in and expectant hush because they didn’t want to disturb the sleeping baby. That is only common sense.
Second, the shepherds also came near to Jesus in an expectant hush, because they expected to see something amazing. God had sent angels to announce the birth of this particular baby. That made this baby something special. The shepherds didn’t know exactly what they would find when they looked at Baby Jesus, but the expected it to be special, wonderful, amazing. Approaching Baby Jesus filled them with hope and joy.
Finally the shepherds approached the sleeping Baby Jesus in an expectant hush because they were approaching the Messiah. The small baby they came to see fulfilled the promises of God. The shepherds understood that Baby Jesus was worthy of reverent awe. They knew Jesus was the hope of the world. The only right way to approach the Messiah, Lord, and Savior of the world was with an expectant hush. So, the shepherds joyfully approached the sleeping child in quiet awe, expecting to see greatness.
How do you approach Jesus when you sit down to read the Bible or to pray?
Remember, Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Approach Him with an expectant hush, now, at Christmastime, and all year round.
“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” Proverbs 10:28
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to remember to come to You every day in an expectant hush, the name of Jesus, joyfully and hopefully expecting to hear Your voice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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