The Embracing-"When Heaven Kissed Earth" (Part 3)

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. Luke 2:15-16 (HCSB) 

There are precious few more exciting events than when we experience personally the revealing presence of God calling. Multiple emotions of awe, exhilaration, humility and even fear may be felt simultaneously.  Yet, we may experience this presence and not respond. We may have a flow of overwhelming excitement and still be unresponsive and unchanged. Experience and excitement are never enough to change us unless they drive us to embrace beyond the revelation to the Revealer.

I remember with some amusement now, opening Christmas presents when I was a child. I would rip and tear though the wrappings, tags, and bows as fast as I could to see the gift, and then suddenly hear my mother say: “Who was it from Sammy?” Oops! Ouch! I knew the “what” but not the “Who.” I desire to operate far beyond that with heaven’s gift…don’t’ you?

The shepherds on that night long ago embraced the message and at least two things resulted.  The first result was a new determination.  They said (v.15), “let’s go straight, (immediately, now)...and see what has happened.” There would be no delays, no distractions, no detours and no doubts.  They did not go to see IF it happened they went to see what HAD happened. They were embracing truth, they were after Him…they were determined.

There was another far reaching and eternal result that night; they found a new deliverance. Their response to heaven touching them brought them face to face with their Savior (deliverer), Christ the Lord…lying in a feeding trough. They viewed a baby where cattle food had been. He needed changing and feeding…BUT…down the road this “baby” would be feeding and changing others here and for eternity. No, the stable that night did not have the appearance of an earth shaking, life saving event like the skies displayed earlier. Still, the shepherds found exactly what they had seen, heard, and embraced the night that heaven kissed earth…and them…and changed them forever. What love!  Have you embraced this Jesus?


Jesus, help me to move beyond experience and excitement to embracing you as my deliverer, Savior, and Lord. I give you not only my sins but I surrender myself to you this day. I rejoice in your forgiveness, grace and love…amen.