Christ, Come, Give US a Sign!

Luke 2:8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

"If God would only send me a sign..."  How often have we heard that statement? Yet, we know the reality is that most of us would miss it or dismiss it.  When we look at individuals in scripture to whom God came and spoke or sent a sign (Abraham, Moses, Gideon...) they had a hard time believing what God was saying.  When God sent His Son, He also sent His angels, to confirm to both Mary & Joseph, to a group of shepherds, to a team of Magi, so there was not one individual, or even a million individuals separately, witnessing the event. He had them appear and tell his message to US, plural.  We have a tendency in our society to think so individualistically, so when something significant does come our way, we have no support system with which to wrestle with truth. "Is this really happening? Did He really say what I think He said?" When people came into contact with Christ, it was often by twos and groups, or before a group of people, at least His disciples - all of whom could confirm what was said or happened.  So today, and while we are still thinking about Christ's Advent, let us remind one another of what He has said and done, and let us rejoice!