There are many events in Christian history I would like to have seen.  This time of year though, it would be the time where the shepherds received the message about the birth of the Messiah:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.   And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.   And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. “

The people of that day knew it was time for Him to come, as there were many prophecies pointing to the event, but many still did not believe.  God did not give this message to Kings, nor the religious leaders, but instead delivered it unto shepherds out in the field.

Imagine that night, the shepherds out under that beautiful, unpolluted sky, going about their lives as usual.  Then suddenly the angel of the Lord appears to them in the Glory of God.  While that would be an amazing sight, the message the angle delivered , the Messiah had just been born, would have shook them to their foundations.  The time was come, the new King was born, their lives would never be the same, and neither would the world.

As if that was not enough, add to this great blessed event, the appearance of the “Heavenly Host” praising God.  I can only imagine what that would have been like.  And then, after their journey,  to see the Messiah laying there as a small baby, knowing who it was and what the prophecies declared about Him.

Some if not all those shepherds might have been alive when Yeshua (Jesus) started His public ministry and to see all that He would accomplish and continues do so.

I remember myself though, in the near future with the return of Yeshua, there will be much more glorious events and unless something would happen to cut our life short, we shall experience those great things!

I am but a road sign, with my arms lifted high standing in the darkness of night, helping those who happen my way. To some I am a warning of the error in their path and to others a conformation their way is true.

In the past, I have followed the road to some degree, but never able to reach the end. What caused my retreat? Was it weakness or failure? Perhaps being busy with my head looking down to the work, not paying attention to the direction I would drift. Could the powers of earthly responsibility be the fault? In the truth they all were a part.

In the distance, I can see the amber glow of glory from the heavenly city, beckoning all to come. I can feel the radiating warmth piercing through the chill of a lost and dying world, igniting a consuming fiery hunger deep within my soul as I stand bound by the cares of this life not allowing me to depart.

From my view I can clearly see, many different paths, which appear to end in the city. Some are green, lush, a sight to behold, but the road down those paths always grows cold, the end is not what they appear, there is only sadness, loss and despair.

Other paths are well groomed and easily traveled, but loops and detours are all that lay ahead, keeping you traveling but never reaching the end.

The last paths look rough and rugged, rolling over hills and valleys as far as the eye can see. Thorns and weeds line these narrow paths. The travels may require much work and patience, but end filled with love and reward.

All around me, I see people trying to make their way. Some with cares and burdens they cannot bare, wondering around under such a heavy load. There eyes never look up to see the directions, instead the easy path they usually find.

Many people seem to move right past me without any thought, the green, lush paths they clearly seek. To them it is a clear direction, but they have no map, they follow their eyes and count on what they see, lazy they are, not wanting to take any heed.

Finally, there are those few that understand the road is not always smooth. They look for help and the rough and rugged road they take, moving with patience and enduring through faith. It is the one to whom they seek, any price they will gladly pay, for it is the Lord that is in their heart, He is with them from the very start.

From this road sign, take these directions, do not let the cares of this world control your path. Take the rough and rugged the narrow path. Make the Lord the focus of your life, keeping Him always in your heart and in sight. The city will be your home!