A Great Surprise

Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

As a group journeyed to Israel the tour guide announced "I have a surprise for you,".

Just as evening was closing in, the bus stopped, and entered a kibbutz, where they loaded onto the elevator travelling to the sixth floor. They exited, crossed the wide hall, and passed through a doorway onto the roof. Then they entered into a room something like a tower enclosed on all four sides by glass. As each entered, they were handed a lighted candle.

The guide called out, "This is your surprise." They all looked over to the east of the building where the shepherds' fields lay. The huge glass windows were opened like doors. They all looked in awe and silence across the fields -- where once the shepherds heard the announcement by the angels on the night Christ was born.

As they took a few pictures,  one in the group started to sing "Silent Night", and all joined in. One carol led into another, and so, with candles held high, they all sang glory to His name as they looked across the shepherds' fields, where now the night drew nigh. It was a surprise that none of them would ever forget.

But imagine the surprise the shepherds experienced when the angels came across the fields with the announcement of the birth of our Savior, Jesus. What a surprise to learn that God could come in human form as a baby -- and not just a physical gift, but a spiritual gift from God!

Let us open the glass doors of our hearts and let Jesus come in. Only then can we experience the surprise of having our hearts be filled with joy.

Dear Lord, thank You the for the surprise You gave for us all that first Christmas morning. Help us share that great gift to all those we meet today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.