Amazing Events

       We have been speaking about "advent' at church.  The pastor will be leading us in the weeks before Christmas as we explore, hope, peace, love and joy and finally the Christ candle on Christmas Eve.  The purpose is to remind us of the first advent, or the first coming, as the word implies, of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes, even some Baptist churches have an advent wreath with all of the appropriate candles.  I like amazing things and this is one of the most amazing ever where the shepherds hear a special announcement.  How would you hve reacted to the announcement?     Luke 2:15 says, "And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." 
      The shepherds were going to put down what they were doing, which involved  the keeping of the sheep.  It was a special night with a special announcement.  Now, it is amazing because it all came down to Joseph and Mary, a decree from a Roman leader and an inn that was full to the brim with special travelers.  Each factor makes it more and more amazing.  You could mention all of the references from Genesis 3:15 the the singing of the angels as the shepherds stood in amazement.  God was working out a plan for our salvation and it certainly involved the sending of His beloved Son to accomplish salvation for us on the cross of Calvary.  Now, what good are amazing things?  The good in them is that because God accomplished the impossible at the Nativity, He accomplishes the impossible with us.  We may not see the plan but it is certainly developing day by day and the culmination will be just as glorious the the shepherd's experience that night in Bethlehem.  Yes, the first Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ does give us hope.  We have already begun the Christmas season with shopping, music, celebration, food and fellowship.  It is always a busy time of the year but may we be just as amazed as were the shepherds on that night so many years ago.  And may that amazement spring into hope, not only for the month of December but for all of our lives.  Praise God for the sending of His Son.  What an amazing event and an amazing gift.