Imagine for a moment.
It’s dark, quiet, and peaceful. The kind of night where you can hear the sheep softly breathing and the wind gently moving across the hills. Shepherds are out in the fields, doing what they do every night—watching, waiting, protecting.
Then, in an instant, everything changes.
“And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.” (Luke 2:9)
Can you picture it? The glory of God breaking through the darkness. A light so brilliant it makes ordinary light look dull. A moment so stunning it shakes those shepherds to their core. Of course, they were afraid. You would be, too. I know I would.
The glory of God had appeared before—but not like this.
Centuries earlier, Moses stood before a bush that was on fire, but not burning up. As he approached, he realized he was standing in the presence of the divine. God was there. Revealing Himself. Speaking to Moses through that flame.
Later, when Israel was freed from slavery in Egypt, how did they know where to go?
It was a pillar of fire by night. A constant reminder that God was with them—leading them, guiding them, showing them His glory. It wasn’t just fire. It was a revelation of the divine.
Even the place of worship they built, the Tabernacle, was filled with this unearthly light—a light that didn’t come from lamps or windows. It came from God Himself. His glory filled the room where people met with Him. Later, when Solomon built the temple, the same glory was so overwhelming that the priests couldn’t even stand to continue their work.
But then, something happened.
About 600 years before Christ, the prophet Ezekiel saw the glory of God leave the temple. And for centuries, it was gone.
Until that night.
That night on a quiet hillside outside Bethlehem, the glory of God returned. But it wasn’t in a temple or a fiery pillar. It came with an announcement: “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
The angel’s message wasn’t just for shepherds. It wasn’t just for kings or prophets or priests. It was for you.
“There has been born for you…”
I love those words. They’re personal, aren’t they? This isn’t some abstract, faraway gift. This is something for you.
Have you ever had that moment on Christmas morning when someone hands you a gift and says, “This one’s for you”? Maybe it’s a beautifully wrapped box with a big bow on top. Maybe it’s something small and simple, but you know it was chosen with love. It’s yours. Not for someone else. For you.
That’s what the angel said that night.
This gift is for you.
And what is this gift? What’s under the “wrapping” of that angel’s announcement?
First, a Savior.
We don’t need to earn this gift. We don’t need to climb our way up to heaven or prove that we’re good enough to deserve it. Jesus comes right to where we are.
If you’re drowning in the sea of life, He pulls you out. If you’re stuck at the bottom of a deep well, He climbs down and lifts you up. If your heart is broken, He steps in to heal and restore you.
We don’t have to save ourselves. We can’t save ourselves. And that’s the good news of Christmas—a Savior has been born. For us. For you.
Second, He is Christ.
The word “Christ” means “anointed.” In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed for special roles. Jesus is all three.
As the Prophet, He reveals God to us completely. As the Priest, He brings us to God—not through a ritual or a symbol, but personally. As the King, He reigns over us with love, justice, and truth.
Jesus isn’t just a baby in a manger. He is the long-awaited Christ, the fulfillment of every promise, every prophecy, every hope.
Finally, He is the Lord.
This little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes is God Himself. The Creator of the universe stepping into His creation. The infinite becoming an infant. The Almighty humbling Himself to be held in human hands.
The Apostle Paul calls this the “indescribable gift.” And it truly is. How do you describe something so incredible? How do you put into words a gift so personal, so perfect, so filled with love?
The Reaction to the Gift
What did the shepherds do when they heard the angel’s announcement?
“When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’” (Luke 2:15)
They didn’t wait. They didn’t debate. They didn’t say, “Maybe tomorrow.” They went immediately to see Jesus for themselves.
And after they saw Him? They couldn’t keep quiet.
They told everyone they met about what they had seen and heard. “Do you know what happened to us? Do you know what the angels said? Do you know what we saw? It’s true! It’s exactly as they described!”
So, What’s Your Reaction?
This Christmas, what will you do with the gift God has given you?
Will you go and see for yourself? Will you draw close to Jesus, not as a distant idea or a historical figure, but as your Savior, your Christ, your Lord?
If you’re weary, come to Him. If you’re burdened, come to Him. If you’re searching for peace, come to Him.
Because when you receive God’s indescribable gift, you don’t just get a moment of joy or a temporary thrill. You get peace. Real, lasting peace.
A peace that comes from knowing you’re right with God. A peace that stays with you in the ups and downs of life. A peace that will carry you all the way to eternity.
That’s the gift.
And it’s for you.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)
This Christmas, don’t keep your distance. Don’t miss the wonder. Go to Him. See for yourself. Receive the gift of God’s Son.
And when someone asks you, “What did you get for Christmas?” you’ll know exactly what to say.
God bless you this Christmas season. May His peace fill your heart and home.
Originally published at https://richbitterman.com on December 16, 2024.
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