As we approach the festive seasons, Christmas and Thanksgiving are in full swings. We remember what lead to the birth of Christ, why he had to come and the mood surrounding his birth. Luke 2 gives us a clear picture of the mood that precedes his birth, his parents were to be taxed, so they moved from galilee to the Nazareth where he was born in Bethlehem of Judea (the house of bread, because he was of the lineage of King David).
Scriptures describes the mood that led to his birth good tidings of great joy to all people (Luke 2: 16). In short, I see it as the kingdom of heaven comes then the kingdom of God follows. Luke 2:13 says there was the angels, a multitude of heavenly host doing what PRAISING GOD and saying GLORY TO GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. So, Gods will be peace on earth, and he brought his son, who pleased him to do his good will towards men that the will of God. The amazing thing is leading to his birth, Shepherd watched the flock by night echoing King David, the lord is my shepherd. He made men his shepherd to watch his flock.
- They were praising God to bring the Kingdom of heaven here on earth and said peace and goodwill to men.
- Shepherds who watched the flock by night were chosen to witness the good tidings of great joy to all. Luke 2:15 further elaborates that as the angels were gone away from them unto the heavens the Shepherds glorified and praised God for all the things they had seen and heard as it were told to them Luke 2:20. The Kingdom of God comes to men.
The heavenly host appearing to men and praising signifies the kingdom of heaven coming to men with peace and goodwill, the kingdom of God appearing to the shepherd where the glorified and praised God for what they had seen and heard. The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God intersect when we praise God, this is how the will of God (Jesus) was brought to us teaching us the ways of God (I am the way), Eloi good tidings (truth) that leads to life in Christ Jesus. As it is written:
John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Christ created that passageway, taught about the kingdom of heaven and that of the father, Eloi. As the Christmas approaches, we should not forget the greatest present we received that is Jesus, we are heir of Salvation and though we do not offer turtle doves and pigeons anymore we offer him praise (Luke 2: 24). When we see the work of Salvation, do we see the lights to lighten us the gentiles, and the glory of his people Isreal (Luke 2: 32). Yes, we have Christmas lights but does our heart still light up for Jesus. He brought good tidings to us all, we saw his great light, and he brought the will of the father to come to pass. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus will you like Mary keep the things of God in mind and ponder on Christ work in our heart. We all our shepherd this season, so we watch the flock, and we are our brother’s keeper: Kindly share the birth of Christ to someone.