Let Us Then Go to Bethlehem
Author
Samuel Caraballo
Summary: Like the shepherds, we should not remain merely recipients of God’s announcement, but respond in faith and become participants in his plan. They hurried to Bethlehem, even though the journey might disrupt their routine and bring complications. In the same way, God’s calls—to serve the elderly, prisoners, children, the sick, or others—may lead us along unfamiliar paths and require courage. Let us not allow obstacles to produce inertia or hinder our assignment. Let us entrust ourselves to the care of the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us to face challenges and move forward with steadfastness and determination toward what God has entrusted to us.
In awe of a spectacular message, the shepherds in the Gospel of Luke made a very important decision that we must not overlook today. “Let us go now to Bethlehem” was the response that catapulted these livestock keepers into the most dazzling event in human history.
In Bethlehem, Almighty God becomes incarnate in the person of the tender baby named Jesus. By taking the initiative to make their way to the manger, the shepherds cease to be recipients of a supernatural announcement and become co-participants in God’s divine plan for humanity (Luke 2:18).
The travel time to the manger or the geographical distance between the shepherds and the child Jesus could have been valid excuses not to go to Bethlehem. Nevertheless, the biblical account tells us that the shepherds went to the manger “with haste” (verse 16), despite the possible complications caused by their decision. This helps us recognize the fact that every “announcement” and “calling” from God for our lives always causes some kind of disruption to our routine. Armed with faith and courage, the shepherds took the initiative to participate in the very special event entrusted to them.
Today, I invite you to ask yourself: What announcements and/or assignments has God entrusted to you? Perhaps today you, like the shepherds in this account, are in the process of transitioning from being a recipient to being a co-participant in the message God has conferred upon your life. Perhaps you have received a calling to work with the elderly in your congregation, or with people in prisons, or with children in your community, or with the sick in hospitals, or as a Bible school teacher. Perhaps God is urging you toward a new path where you have never walked before. Whatever your calling or announcement may be, know that today the Holy Spirit is present and willing to give you the strength you need to move forward in faith and courage, just as these shepherds did. There will always be complications along our path that attempt to thwart God’s divine plan for our lives. Nevertheless, today we overcome inertia and hold fast to the example of the shepherds. Above all, today we surrender ourselves to the supernatural care of the Holy Spirit, who “empowers” us and gives us courage to face the challenges we encounter before and during our journey toward the “manger.” Let us therefore go forward with steadfastness and determination toward Bethlehem....”