Devotion 12/31, Christ was Born for All!

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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11

Shepherds and the glory of the Lord in the same sentence. Shepherds enjoyed a great heritage in Israel with Abraham, Moses, and David as notable shepherds and God being identified through Psalm 23 as a great shepherd. But by this time in Israelite history, they were not highly regarded. They smelled like sheep. They spent their time with sheep. They were not really clean and religious enough to be considered spiritual. So when God chose to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds with his contingent of angels he makes his point clear: Everyone is loved by God, everyone has access to God, and everyone is desired by God.

What a great way to start the new year. Knowing that God loves you, He desires being in your heart and soul, and you have access to Him through his son, the new born Jesus Christ.

God is still revealing Himself to the hearts of people today. He did not send Jesus to die just for kings, rulers, and religious leaders, He sent His one and only Son to this earth to die for ALL (John 3:16). “Anyone” who believes in Jesus Christ and His bloodshed for the forgiveness of their sins becomes a child of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Why in the world would anyone reject such a marvelous gift from God?! (Ephesians 2:8-9) What a great way to ring in the new year, reaffirm your faith in Christ, or accept Jesus Christ as your lord and Savior for the first time.

Holy and Almighty God, I confess to you that sometimes the outward appearance and reputation of a person colors the way I treat them. But today, I’m convicted of how much you want everyone to know about your grace in Jesus. Give me a heart to love all people and passion to share your grace with them. In the name of Jesus I pray this. Amen.

Holy Jesus, I pray you fill my heart, that all I say and do is a reflection of you and your sacrificial love. I pray for the discipline to strengthen my relationship with you through prayer, bible study and living my faith each day. I pray for those that have not accepted you in their hearts, that they find that peace that passes all understanding and a personal relationship with you. In your name I pray, Amen.