Daily devotional · December 26
Shepherds Who Went and Told
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. 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 they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.”
After the angels leave, the shepherds do not stay on the hillside discussing what happened. They say to one another, let us go and see, and they hurry to Bethlehem. They find the baby just as they were told, and then they tell everyone what they had heard about Him. Everyone who listens is amazed, while Mary quietly treasures these things and ponders them in her heart. The shepherds return to their fields glorifying and praising God. Two responses appear side by side: telling and treasuring. We need both. Today, the morning after Christmas, take a moment to treasure. Write down one moment from yesterday that you want to remember, a face, a word, a prayer. Then tell one person about something good that God has done in your life recently. Ordinary people, like these shepherds, are often the first witnesses God chooses, and their joy can travel far.
Prayer
Lord, help me treasure what You have done and share it with joy. Amen.