Friday, January 4, 2013
Eleventh Christmas Day
Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
EVERMORE CONTENTED
If you are among those who observe the custom of gift-giving at Christmas time, let me ask you: "Are you satisfied with what you got this year?" Judging from the long lines at the customer service counters on December 27th, it seemed there were many who were not very content with what they had received. Everything from mittens to microwaves were being returned for cash refunds. One store was even running a "now get what you really wanted for Christmas" sale!
What about those shepherds who quickly ran to Bethlehem to find Baby Jesus wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger? Were they satisfied with what they found there? It surely seems so. For they did not return from Bethlehem saying, "Well, that wasn't much. Just an ordinary child and ordinary parents." None of them returned saying, "I sure wish the Baby and the surroundings had been a lot more impressive."
The angel had told them that this Child had been born for them, and they were more than satisfied with the great gift. In fact, they glorified and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
May we never tire to hear the good news that our Heavenly Father sent His one and only Son into the world, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). May we never become dissatisfied or discontented upon hearing that "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11).
Rather this:
Let me in my arms receive Thee;
On Thy breast Let me rest,
Savior, ne'er to leave Thee.
Since Thou hast Thyself presented
Now to me, I shall be
Evermore contented.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 77:12)
