So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.     Luke 2:15-16 NKJV

In Luke chapter 2, verses 8-20, Luke tells of Shepherds that were out tending their sheep when suddenly an angel appeared to them. We are told in verses 9-10 that the appearance of the angel terrified them, but the angel reassured them by telling them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” The angel then told them about the birth of Jesus and told them they would find him lying in a manger.

We are told in verses 13-14 that a large number of angels appeared and praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill toward men!”

Our Scripture passage for today begins just after the angels left the Shepherds. Now at this point the Shepherds had a choice. They could choose to stay there with their sheep. They had plenty of valid reasons for staying where they were. They were tending their sheep. To leave in the middle of the night could have meant losing their sheep to wild animals or thieves. This was how they made their living. They could lose everything. Verse 8 tells us they were keeping watch over their flock by night. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to go in the morning when it was daylight? I am sure they could have come up with many good excuses for waiting to venture into Bethlehem to see this Babe lying in a manger. But they didn’t. We are told in verse 15 that they said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem…” They all agreed that they needed to get moving. Verse 16 tells us that they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a manger.

They didn’t wait for another sign. They didn’t wait until it was convenient. They didn’t worry about their flocks; I would imagine that they trusted that God would take care of all that. They went with haste. They took off in a hurry.

Now I guess you could say that they did so because they were visited by not only one angel but a multitude of angels. That’s a pretty big sign. Are you waiting for a sign? Are you waiting to find a good church home? Are you waiting to surrender your life to Christ? Are you waiting to begin living like He has called us to live? Are you waiting to do what God has called you to do? Perhaps God has sent angels to you or people to encourage you to run to Jesus. But God gave us free will, so we are free to choose.

Those shepherds had a choice. They could have ignored the angel altogether, they could have waited for a more opportune time, or they could get up and get there as per the angel’s instructions. They chose to get moving. They chose to run to Jesus. They hastily went and found Jesus in that manger. They made the right choice.

I would like to say that I hastily ran to Jesus, but it took me a while to get there. I don’t know where you are today as compared to these shepherds. Maybe you are still in the field scratching your head wondering what just happened? Maybe you are wondering if you should go now or wait? Maybe you have decided to wait. Maybe you are running to Him. Or maybe you are kneeling at the manger in awe of Him.

If you are not kneeling at the manger, totally surrendered to Him you make want to make haste. We are not guaranteed tomorrow or even two minutes from now. The time to run to Jesus is now. I beg of you not to wait. Run to the peace and joy that are found at that manger. Bow down and worship Him. Give Him glory and honor and praise. Don’t delay.

Have a great day!