And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)
Signs tell you things. How would the shepherds know that they had found the Savior, Christ the Lord? How would they know when they had found the Messiah, the Holy One, the Son of the living God? They would know when they saw the sign: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
It's a pretty amazing contrast. Why would God choose such humble, human things to mark out His beloved Son Jesus? Why not a fiery pillar, or a choir of angels singing Jesus to sleep? Something more fitting to His glory.
Maybe God chose this to be the sign because this is the key to everything Jesus came to do: He "emptied Himself ... being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:7-8). The Man who would lay down His life for humanity began it the same way: lying in a human baby's clothes, in a borrowed manger. This is how much He loves us.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for sharing in my humanity, so I may share in Your life and glory. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* How do you think the shepherds found their way to Jesus?
* Do you think they were surprised by what they found?
* When has God surprised you by making Himself known to you in an unexpected way?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today's Bible Readings: Nehemiah 7-9 Revelation 18
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