In ancient times, mighty emperors would call themselves “king of kings” because they would rule over other kingdoms with their own kings. In the New Testament, Jesus is called the King of Kings because he will rule over the entire world, and he rules over all. There is no higher authority in the world than Jesus. Yet the first to worship the King of Kings were humble shepherds, the most unlikely group of worshipers ever.
Do you remember that the shepherds are in the fields on a hillside near Bethlehem. In the evening, probably around a campfire, they talk about the promised Messiah. They are frightened when an angel appears, but they pay attention, and suddenly a host of angels are there to praise God. The shepherds find Jesus and worship Him.
As they leave the manger scene, they tell everyone they meet about their experience. Then they return to their flocks, “glorifying and praising God for all . . . they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20).
This is a lesson about worshipping the King of Kings; the shepherds join in the worship of Jesus in four ways:
1. They cease being afraid and find joy in worship.
2. They follow the angel’s instructions. They search for Jesus until they find Him.
3. They tell others about their experience, sharing the invitation to worship Jesus.
4. They return to carry on their work, all the while praising God for what they have seen and heard.
On this Christmas Day, let us go and do likewise!
Prayer
God grant us the light of Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ. Amen
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