This post is “Christmas – Day 18”, if you haven’t already read Day 1, please click here.

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Christmas – Day 18

Luke 2:11-14

“Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city. This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, a large army of angels appeared with the angel. They were praising God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those who have his good will!”

The Thought

Suddenly, a large army of angels appeared with the angel. I love God’s “suddenlies”. The word “suddenly” appears 47 times in most versions of the Bible. God often surprises us with a “suddenly”. When the angel appeared to the shepherds, they were not doing anything “spiritual”.

The angel continued his message about Jesus, and then suddenly… I love God’s “suddenlies”. The word “suddenly” appears 47 times in most versions of the Bible. God often surprises us with a “suddenly”. In these verses above we find that the angel who was bringing a clear message of hope was suddenly surrounded by hundreds of others. What a scene that must have been, and a life changing moment for those shepherds. And how beautiful it must have been to physically hear the songs of the angels. A life changing experience for those shepherds.

It is worth noting that when the angel appeared to the shepherds, they were not doing anything “spiritual”. They were not in prayer, they were not at the temple, they were not (as far as we suppose) studying the scriptures. They were just doing their regular work, as was Zechariah when he was told that his wife would be pregnant (Luke 1:8-10), and Gideon years before (Judges 6:11-12).

Action

Praise God that He doesn’t need us to be particularly listening to Him for Him to speak to us.

Are you ready for a “suddenly” from the Lord. He loves to surprise us. How do you think you would react if an angel appeared and told you of an unexpected event in a nearby town. Would you go? Would you think you had dreamed the whole thing? Does God know He can trust you to do what He asks you to do?

Pray today that you will be ready for anything!