Consider people doing their job, going about their daily routine when “˜suddenly”™ they are surrounded by a bright, uncompromising light. It does not matter whether the light is a search light or a light that is suddenly focused on them. The light so intense and covering such a large area that there is no place to run to, to escape that light. Terror, such as few know, seizes them.

That is what happened to some shepherds in the midnight fields near Bethlehem”¦one night over 2100 years ago.

(NASB) Luke 2:9-10a “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them. 10 But the angel said to them, “˜Do not be afraid”¦”

When you are faced with a “˜suddenly”™, how do you react?

What do you need to quiet your “˜suddenly”™ of fear, of terror?

The shepherds heard the angel say, “˜Do not be afraid”™”¦if that were said to you, what would you think?

The Lord got the attention of those shepherds and they were focused on that angel.

(NASB) Luke 2:10b “for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;”
If you were one of those shepherds, that “˜good news”™ was for you! And even though you and I weren”™t present, we are included in that message”¦that “˜good news”™ is for all people! The “˜suddenly”™ was turned from one of “˜terror”™ to one of a message of “˜great joy”™.

(NASB) Luke 2:11 “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

God”™s message is the same today ~

Good News of great joy for all the people ~

Messiah, a Savior has been born ~

When God”™s search light is turned on me”¦my sins and sin nature is exposed. I need that message of “˜great joy”™ that Messiah has been born. I need a Savior”¦and that Savior is the same baby who was born and laid in a manger over 2100 years ago.

As the “˜suddenly”™ happens in your life”¦to whom will you turn? To whom will you listen? The shepherds responded to the angel”™s message, have you?