Read: Luke 2:15-20 NLT – When the angels had returned to heaven, – Bible Gateway
“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:20 NLT
The day after Christmas can be a real letdown. In fact for a lot of people it is. So much time is spent preparing for the day in lightning speed and twenty-four hours later it’s over. Sometimes there’s a feeling you missed it. That could indeed be the case and now it is back to work the day after. How do you shake this letdown feeling?
For the Christian, Christmas doesn’t come only on December 25th. We should be celebrating Jesus’ coming to earth to save us every day of the year. The joy of the Christmas season is a continued joy of the Christian life through the presence of the Holy Spirit. There should never be a letdown from that. Taking a special day to recognize Jesus’ birth is a proper form of worship every Christian should participate in. The day is about Jesus, celebrating His coming into the world. But when the true meaning of Christmas is overshadowed by all our festivities there’s bound to be a letdown when it’s all over.
The shepherds in Luke’s gospel were privileged to be part of that first Christmas. Their work was interrupted in the middle of night by angels announcing the birth of a savior and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Lk.2:14 nlt) They immediately went into Bethlehem looking for the one described to them by the angel. When they found Him they told everyone their story and what the angels told them about this child.
The shepherds had just witnessed the first Christmas. They were told the reason for that first Christmas. After their visit to Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child the shepherds went back to work. There was no letdown. They celebrated the true meaning of Christmas. We shake this letdown feeling by going back to work in the same spirit as the shepherds; glorifying and praising God for sending His Son.
Word for the Soul 