Tip of My Iceberg

He stood in the middle of his group, singing out loud and proud. Nolan at four participated in his preschool Christmas program, and his teacher informed us that he was in the center because he knew all the songs, the hand gestures, and could sing loudly.

His older sister, Brooklyn, had a program that evening. She, too, was at the forefront of her choir, singing with enthusiasm and joy; her face lit up with her enjoyment of performing.

The audiences at both performances were enthusiastic in their applause.

When kids sing in front of an audience from the heart, it becomes a celebration of their talent and joy. Granted, not every child enjoys the spotlight. Both performances had children who didn’t join in the singing. Some stared at the audience while others turned their backs on the crowd.

Singing is a form of celebration that has happened for centuries. David wrote songs as a shepherd and as a king, songs sung by the Jews in the temple thousands of years ago, and some of these songs are still sung today.

Audiences aren’t always assembled in an orderly, expectant way.

There was an audience of shepherds in the fields outside of Bethlehem one evening long ago. Shepherds were often considered of a lower social status, spending most of their time in the field with their four-legged charges. It was a job usually left to children, typically the youngest son, until they grew old enough to handle more difficult manual labor.

Shepherding was an important role in Jewish society, for the Jews depended on sheep for their wool, meat, and hides. However, it was hard and dirty work, and often these young people were alone or in small groups. They were coarse and not well-educated, and didn’t socialize much with other people because their work was consuming.

On this night, they were stunned by a bright light shining in the skies over the small village.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people….’ Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.’” Luke 28-10, 13.

Because the Messiah had been born, a choir of angels appeared to these shepherds, announcing the greatest gift that could be imagined. Their audience wasn’t royalty, the upper class, or people of substance. It was lowly shepherds, who weren’t often welcomed around others because they stunk of sheep all the time. An audience that responded with awe and wonder at what God had done.

Whether the announcement was sung or stated, there was no question as to the significance of what they were told. The One they’d waited so long for was born. The Savior who had been promised by God so long ago had finally arrived.

The audience responded with joy. The shepherds immediately went to where the Baby was with His mother and father, and worshiped Him.

Today, we’re the audience. We’ve been told of the wonder of a Savior who will forgive us for all the bad we do, who will love us without hesitation, even knowing everything about who we are and what we do.

How will you respond to this grand, heavenly appearance?