Lessons Learned from Those Who Observed the Birth of Christ
“And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night,” reads Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Every year we hear the words of the Christmas story spoken at church services, see them reenacted in a children’s pageant and may even speak them ourselves while singing along with our favorite Christmas carols. But, the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus is more than just words; it’s a story about real people who were significantly impacted. Let’s take a closer look at the story and learn some lessons to implement into our own lives this Christmas.
Lesson Learned from Joseph = Honor Others.
Joseph has to make a decision. He just learned that his bride-to-be was already pregnant. He decides to divorce her quietly. He has every right to make a big deal of her condition, but he’s a just man and isn’t interested in that approach. Instead, he wants to do what’s honorable and noble. But, when he learns the truth about how Mary became pregnant, he decided to marry her and became the earthly father of our Savior. What a true honor!
The number of less-than-desirable people in our world is enormous. The bad reputations of the kids in school are rather vast: being a “player” or “easy,” someone who’s overweight or too smart for their own good. Kids in the “wrong crowd,” get caught doing drugs or known as being the partier who drinks too much. Regardless of their circumstances, we can honor them as individuals whom God loves. They need Christ’s love to help them find resolution in their lives, so be the instigator and give them respect.
Lesson Learned from Mary = Embrace.
After Jesus was born, Mary looked upon the event and “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Mary embraced the newborn baby, she embraced the shepherds’ visit, she embraced the various strangers coming to praise and glorify her son. She couldn’t take pictures to remember the moment; instead she had to soak up every tiny detail.
Sometimes we need to spend more time focusing on the incredible things that surround us rather than taking another Selfie. And, sometimes we need to be still and contemplate – even if only for a moment – our magnificent Lord and Savior.
Lesson Learned from the Angels = Tell.
Luke 2:9-15 gives the account of the angels’ visit to the shepherds. Being messengers of the Lord, angels are charged with speaking of God’s incredible plan. They are bold and bright in their sharing. They do not hide or apologize.
Not only are we responsible for sharing Christ with others, we can do so with courage, vigor and kindness.
Christmas Story Lesson Learned from the Shepherds = Believe.
After their visit from the angels, the shepherds didn’t sit around contemplating what just happened. Instead, they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” (Luke 2:15) Then they “hurried off” to find Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
When we know that Jesus is our Lord, there is no reason to Google the subject further. Instead, we can have faith and actively believe the truth.
Lesson Learned from the Wise Men = Obey.
In Matthew 2, we read about the Wise Men seeking the king because they saw his star rise above Bethlehem. On their journey they encountered King Herod who sent them out to discover the King of the Jews, which he learned about through old prophesy. After arriving in Bethlehem, an angel directed the Wise Men not to return to King Herod. They followed the star, obeyed King Herod and trusted the angel.
God guides and speaks to us in a variety of ways – even through people who oppose us. We should be strong and willing to obey His calling and pursue His directions above all else.
Lesson Learned from Jesus = Realize.
Even though Jesus was only a baby, we can still learn a lesson from Him at this point in His life. He understood and realized His position as savior from birth. He didn’t pretend to be someone else. He didn’t change who He was so He could fit in. He didn’t hide His identity. He realized who He is, and acted according to His role.
As young, beautiful women, we need to understand and know who we are. We need to embrace our purpose and our calling. We need to show our unique and genuine beauty. There’s no need to hide or change our identity. We know who we are in Christ, and we should act like the person God made us to be.
Here’s the Christmas story as found in the book of Luke:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When 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.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:8-20
