4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 14"Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

One thing that strikes me about this story is the response of the shepherds.  When they first heard the news, they immediately changed their plans and went to Bethlehem.  They could have sent a representative to scout things out first and report back, or they could have waited for a more convenient time.  But that's not what they did.  According to verse 16, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph.

The second thing that is important is that they spread the word...what they had witnessed was so impressive that they could not keep it to themselves.  We have been given the gift of salvation; a gift so great that we should be telling the world.

The final act of the shepherds that impresses me is found in verse 20...they glorified and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen.  With all the activities that accompany Christmas - the company parties, the school programs, etc. - let's not forget to worship this Christmas season.

I pray that we all will remember the birth of Christ this year and act in a way that resembles the response of the shepherds.  Merry Christmas!

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