The Royal Invitation

 

In a kingdom when a royal child is born, everyone from royal family members to the poorest peasant are told the good news. Royal announcements are printed and sent near and far. It is part of a great celebration honoring the royal member that has entered this world.  I was listening to a Christmas song on the radio a few days ago that mentioned the angel's annoucement to the shepherds of Jesus' birth. A lightbulb went off in my head! This was God the Father's Royal invitation announcement that let the world know His Only begotten Son had been born. The angel in Luke 2:10-12 said," Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." God the Father had just sent some of the poorest members of His kingdom the best invitation that they could have received. They were told that Christ the Lord had been born, but have you ever realized that at no time in the annoucement were they commanded to go see Him! In verse 12 the shepherds WERE given a sign to know where He was so that they would know it was Him. Could it be that the Lord knew these faithful shepherds had been earnestly looking for the Messiah to come and He knew that they would go to see Him on their own? I believe so. God sent His royal invitation announcement of the birth of His only begotten Son to the ones He felt would be faithful to spread the message to everyone else. Verse 17&18 of the same chapter says,"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." The Good News was on its way throughout the town now because of their faithfulness. Why do you suppose the Lord chose to announce Jesus' birth in this manner? We may never know, but maybe it was to give those faithful, watching shepherds a special blessing and a job to do because He counted them faithful. What could we do for the Lord if we offered our best ability of availability like the shepherds did? There are no limits because all things are possible with God. This Christmas Season may we be found faithful and looking to God for anything that we can do to spread the Good News that God's Only Begotten Son indeed did come and WILL be coming again!