THE CHRISTMAS STORY:  Luke 2:1-12
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!”   NLT

COMMENTS:  God absolutely loves the little guy.  God loves the simple person that faithfully serves Him.  He didn’t appear to Caesar or to the Sanhedrin.  He didn’t appear to the wealthy, but to those simple shephers in the field.  Shepherds were looked down upon in their world, but not in God’s eyes.

Jesus could have been born in a palace, but he chose to be born in the lowliest of circumstances, to humble and godly parents.  God cares just as much about using those of us who lead the lowliest and simplest of lives even today.  He loves to use the teacher in the classroom, the sales clerk at the store, the housekeeper, the gardener, the plumber and the stay-at-home mother.  The world may not honor the simple but God always has.  Give him your simple place in life and ask Him to use it — to use YOU to touch and change the world.  No prayer would make Him happier!

PRAYER:  Lord, this story is so amazing when you consider how you reached out to the simple and became one among them.  I lead a simple life.  So many days I can’t imagine how you could really do anything with me and my simple world, but I ask you to do so.  Show me new ways you would like to show your Love and shine your glory in the dark and often cold world I am a part of. Enlarge my vision.  Shine your light on my path so that I can find your will and your plan for my life.  AMEN