“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14
Thus sang the angelic host as they announced the birth of the King of kings. No doubt you have noticed that the angelic host who made this dramatic announcement were not addressing a king or a prince; they were out in the fields addressing a group of shepherds. Doesn’t this strike you as odd?
Those shepherds had no social position, they were at the bottom of the totem pole in their world and no doubt would have been looked down upon be virtually everyone in their day. So why did God’s messengers announce this news to them?
The only thing that is more amazing was that the King of kings was born in a barn!
I don’t know about you, but when I think on these things it occurs to me that God isn’t very impressed with society and human grandeur. It would seem that God simply did not care about who was important on earth; He cared for people who were much more simple and down to earth. He wasn’t looking for luxury or elegance, just real people who would seek Him and be willing to forsake the things of this world, and Jesus was to demonstrate this divine attitude throughout His ministry on earth.
This brings us to an interesting place this morning. What is important to us? Is it things of this world like position, rank, riches, fame and luxury? Surely we can see that these things do not matter in God’s sight. Maybe we are more concerned with priorities closer to those that God is showing us in the story of Jesus’ humble birth, things like love, compassion, justice, mercy and a willingness to set earthly things aside and follow His Son Jesus.
As we remember the birth of Jesus Christ this year, let’s also ask ourselves what lessons we can take from the story to put into practice in our attitudes and daily lives, so that when the day comes when we meet Him face to face, we will hear the only words that really count for anything: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Life Project Blog 
I’m from Sydney and after the siege we’ve had, many of us are getting down to basics. It;s all about love and everything else is froth and bubble or even a distraction. I pray that the families who lost loved ones will feel God’s peace which surpasses human understanding. xx Rowena
Rowena, I hope that the people of Australia know that we are praying for them today. Having had some experience with this sort of thing in recent years, I know that the people of the USA feel the burden of grief that you and those families in particular are going through. May God shine on the people of Sydney and bring peace and healing in abundance, and may the terrible events of the last few days move many to make their peace with God through Jesus Christ. Thank you for your comments and for sharing your thoughts with us
Don, Thank you very much for your concern. Given our geographic isolation, Australians have traditionally stuck our collective heads in the sand and felt that these things just go on “over there”. There have been a few incidents before the siege but a lot of the time, you don’t always take in the news and I try not to have it on when the kids are around. So while I guess we should have been expecting one of these lone wolves to strike, it still took us by surprise and shattered our sense of immunity. I appreciate you prayers and concern and it has meant alot to Australians that the siege has been reported extensively overseas and that we matter.
I have posted a request for people to send Christmas cards to the children of Katrina Dawson who was killed in the siege and I would appreciate it if you could pass that on. I think it would make quite an impression on the children to receive cards from all around the world.
The week isn’t even over and we have now had 8 children murdered and the mother of 7 f them seems to be the prime suspect.
Australia seriously needs some prayers. It is not what you would describe as a Christian country any more. I almost feel that Christians have to go underground as being open about your faith is only counter-productive. My friends know I’m Christian and actively go to Church but that’s about it. Its a bit of a shame. Anyway, best wishes and God Bless and I wish you and yours a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Thank you! Posting to day.
Roweeee; I’ve just watched a news report about that siege. The following day, a similar thing happened at a school, somewhere else. I prayed for the Lord to step in and bring justice, knowing that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, or, in other words, those who do these terrible things. Why should people be hurt for the sake of someone’s beliefs, whatever they may be, outside of the living God?
God have mercy on the people who pray for it, and those who need His mercy. Forgiveness, too.
I love this page, Don.
Thank you