An
ordinary
night in
Bethlehem
became
extraordinary
with the
birth of
Jesus in
that
stable.
There
was no
room in
the inn
and so
Mary
gave
birth to
the
Savior
of the
world in
a
stable,
wrapped
Him in
swaddling
clothes
and laid
Him in a
manger.
What an
amazing
night!
Imagine
being
there!
Being an
eyewitness
to the
most
wonderful
event in
the
history
of
humanity.
-
In
the
vicinity
-
In
that
vicinity
there
were
shepherds
living
in
the
field,
watching
over
their
flock
by
night.
(v.
8)
They
were
in
the
region
of
the
virgin
birth,
but
far
enough
away
to
be
oblivious
to
what
was
happening
in
their
neck
of
the
woods.
Can
you
identify
with
them?
They
were
so
close
to
something
wondrous.
They
may
not
have
had
the
address
of
the
stable
or
knew
what
exactly
was
going
on
in
town
that
night,
but
they
were
in
that
vicinity!
That
blessed
me. They
were in
the
region.
Are you
in the
region
of where
God is
manifesting
His
power? I
believe
new life
is
birthed
all the
time.
Jesus
steps
into our
ordinary
existence
everyday!
Back in
Bethlehem
there
was no
room for
Him in
the inn
so He
came to
a stable
instead.
Today
you
might
not find
Him
manifest
Himself
in the
logical
places
in your
life. We
fill our
"inns"
with so
many
things.
But are
you in
the
miracle
zone? In
the
vicinity
of the
manifestation
of the
power of
God? You
may not
get to
the
precise
place to
experience
the
stable
miracle
first
hand
initially,
but are
you
close
enough
for your
ordinary
night to
be
turned
into an
extraordinary
experience?
Set your
heart to
pursue
God.
Serve
Him to
the best
of your
ability.
Even in
your
daily
walk
(job,
family,
entertainment,
etc.)
stay in
the
vicinity
of
faith,
the
region
of the
Holy
Spirit
and you
will
experience
God's
power in
a
special
way.
-
Divine
Encounter
-
And
behold,
an
angel
of
the
Lord
stood
by
them,
and
the
glory
of
the
Lord
flashed
and
shone
all
about
them,
and
they
were
terribly
frightened.
(v.9)
The
angel
appeared
because
of
their
locality
and
not
the
personality
of
the
shepherds.
That
angel
appeared
there
because
of
the
birth
of
Jesus.
If
the
shepherds
were
not
"in
the
vicinity"
they
would
not
have
had
an
angelic
encounter!
The
Glory
of
God
shone
around
them
because
of
their
proximity
to
the
birth
of
Jesus.
Can
you
see
the
importance
of
your
positioning
in
life?
Get
in
the
zone!
One
moment
they
were
looking
after
their
sheep
and the
next
they saw
an
angel!
An
ordinary
and
possibly
forgettable
night
was
transformed
into the
epicenter
of their
lives; a
night
that
would
stand
out
above
all
their
experiences.
That's
what God
encounters
will do!
They
will
outshine
your
brightest
moment.
They
will
capture
your
life and
captivate
your
mind.
-
Divine
Message
-
"I
bring
you
good
news
of a
great
joy
which
will
come
to
all
people."
(v.10)
Boy,
do
we
need
good
news!
The
economy
is
not
a
source
of
good
news
these
days.
The
news
networks
as a
whole
are
bearers
of
bad
news.
Challenges
and
circumstances
have
a
way
to
dampen
your
life-enthusiasm.
Friend,
God
is
into
Good
News.
The
Gospel
of
Jesus
Christ
is
just
that:
Good
News!
Jesus
stepped
into
the
world
in
Bethlehem
amidst
challenging
times.
God's
people
were
suffering
at
the
hands
of
the
Romans.
Their
own
spiritual
and
political
leaders
placed
personal
gain
ahead
of
national
interests.
Joseph,
the
carpenter
and
Mary,
the
mother
faced
many
difficulties.
Friends
were
few,
they
did
not
understand
their
circumstances.
Then
Jesus
came!
Let
me
tell
you
good
news
that
will
bring
great
joy
to
you!
Jesus
is
coming
to
you
too!
New
life,
everlasting
life
is
breaking
forth
into
your
life.
Find
that
stable
in
your
life.
Find
the
manger!
Salvation
is
at
hand.
A
Savior
is
born.
Can
it
get
any
better
than
this?
-
-
Zero
In .
. .
Fine-tune
your
position
-
"When
the
angels
went
away
from
them
into
heaven,
the
shepherds
said
one
to
another,
let
us
go
over
to
Bethlehem
and
see
this
thing
that
has
come
to
pass,
which
the
Lord
has
made
known
to
us."
(v.15)
What
are
you
doing
with
the
revelation
the
Lord
has
made
known
to
you?
What
are
you
doing
with
the
Good
News
of
Jesus
Christ?
Do
what
the
shepherds
did!
Being
in
the
mere
vicinity
was
not
good
enough
anymore.
They
needed
to
find
the
epicenter.
They
simply
had
to
find
Jesus!
They
went
to
Bethlehem,
to
the
stable
and
found
Mary
and
Joseph
and
Jesus
lying
in a
manger.
Will
you
zero
in
to
where
Jesus
is
waiting
for
you?
Step
beyond
the
mundane,
normal
activities
you
are
engaged
in.
Leave
your
fields
of
comfort
in
pursuit
of
Jesus.
Find
Him!
He
is
waiting
for
you!
-
-
Tell
someone!
-
"And
when
they
saw
it,
they
made
known
what
had
been
told
them
concerning
this
Child.
And
all
who
heard
it
were
astounded
and
marveled
at
what
the
shepherds
told
them."
(v.17-18)
They
because
messengers
of
Good
News
themselves.
They
came
to
that
first
Nativity
scene
in
Bethlehem,
with
many
others
gathering
to
see
this
beautiful
sight,
a
Baby
born
in a
stable.
Yet
the
shepherds
had
divine
revelation
knowledge
about
the
Child
in
the
manger.
They
connected
the
message
with
the
moment
and
people
who
heard
it
were
astounded
and
marveled.
Whenever
you
see
a
nativity
scene
at
Christmas
time,
or a
Easter
message
concerning
Jesus,
will
you
too
tell
someone
the
Good
News?
About
Jesus,
Savior
of
the
world
Who
died
for
our
sins
and
gave
eternal
life
to
all
who
would
believe
in
Him.
Go
ahead.
People
crave
Good
News.
They'll
listen!
Heavenly
Father,
thank
you for
the
revelation
about
Jesus.
How He
came to
take
away the
sin of
the
world.
Help us
to apply
this
message
to our
lives
and
share it
with as
many as
possible.
Thank
you that
the
Gospel
works!
It is
the
power of
God unto
salvation!
|
