Abiding

 

ABIDING

Shepherds abiding

all night residing

on the hill

where moonlight spills,

when suddenly the night sky

is filled with angels who fly.

That dark sky was lit, we are told,

with the glory of the Lord.

The shepherds were afraid,

in fact terrified,

but the angel said, “do not fear”

and spoke these words loud and clear:

“I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you:

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

After hearing these joyful words

these surprised and stunned shepherds,

filled with awesome wonder,

hurried to find the manger.

We read they did not tarry.

In fact, they quickly hurried.

They wanted to know if what the angel said was true,

for it seemed to them to be too good to be true.

It was just as the Lord’s glorious heavenly messenger said -

as they did find the newborn baby in a manger bed!

Because it was true they told everyone what they had seen and heard

before they returned to the distant hillside to tend to their herds.

These abiding shepherds were insistent

when they affirmed this awesome event.

Is it because of their persistence the Christmas story is everlasting?

Yes, these abiding shepherds had a part in history that remains enduring

for today the Lord Jesus Christ’s, the Savior’s, birth

is celebrated throughout the whole universe.

The shepherds returned to their abiding

filled with much glorifying and praising

for all the things they had seen and heard

which was just as they had been told.

I'm sure they were never again the same

for after seeing the Christ (Messiah) they were changed.

These abiding shepherds saw and believed

and wanted everyone else to believe.

As they continued to abide in the fields,

I'm certain their hearts were also filled

with all that the Lord Jesus Christ represents -

God's promised Savior, the first Christmas present.

* * * * *

Though the story is old,

its truth is never old.

The truth is still the same today

as it was those many yesterdays.

The Savior has come.

Is he welcomed?

Jesus Christ can abide in your heart

if you ask Him to come in, just start

by praying “Dear Heavenly Father,

I realize I was born a sinner

but by your grace my sins can be washed away

so I ask your forgiveness right now, today.

I believe you died on the cross

to take my punishment. It cost

me nothing, for you paid everything,

so all my wrong doings to you I bring.

From now on for you I want to live.

My life, as it is, to you I give."

Such a simple prayer

the Lord will hear

and then abide in you

and help you each day anew

as you abide in Him.

He's waiting to come in.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:20

See that what you have heard from the beginning

remains (abides) in you.

If it does, you also will remain (abide)

in the Son and in the Father.

And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.

I John 2:24-25