New Living Translation (NLT)

Verse 14 'goodwill toward men!' from New King James Version (NKJV)

I usually read my Bible according to my Holy Spirit reading plan :) In other words, I will ask Him which (Bible)book He'd like me to read. This way, I've found, I will read what God wants me to read (and know) for a specific season.

If you haven't tried this already, I welcome you to try it. It's the best reading plan ever, specially customized to your personal needs! 👌

So, recently I asked the Spirit: "which book are we going to read?" And He answered: Luke!

And I was like, well..I just read Luke, only a few weeks, ago. Remember?

Like He had forgotten..😅

But I was to read it again. That usually means: I missed something the last time...😉

So I cracked open the book of Luke. Only this time, it was different. The first few chapters really spoke to me and drew me in..

This time the birth of Jesus and all people involved, really moved me.

I then arrived at Luke 2, verses 8 - 20. It was like I was reading it for the first time (and it resulted in this very song you're hearing now).

Then it hit me.. THE redemption plan, promised and prophesied throughout the Old Testament, for thousands of years. The greatest happening the world has ever seen. God sending His only Son to the world, to fix what we had so terribly messed up.

If this had been an earthly thing, you better believe it would have been SO hyped and tickets would have been sold at insane rates to the most exclusive VIPs ever to have lived.

But no.. this news was announced to... shepherds? Yes, shepherds. Smelly men, mostly illiterate, mostly overlooked and living outside city walls. Bearded tough guys, desperately in need of a shower.

To these guys the angel was sent with the greatest news EVER (!)

That just blows me away! That's my Daddy :) Always an eye for the underdog. The people we tend to forget or ignore.

Not Him, He is the God who sees (Gen 16: 13-14).

But if you think about it, it's kind of fitting, isn't it?

Jesus is the good Shepherd. Laying down His life, as Lamb of God, for the sheep. And always looking for that one who got away.

Even His ancestor David was a shepherd. And Jacob, which would become Israel, was a shepherd. So, in that light, it suddenly makes a lot more sense.

So, this Christmas, if you feel small, insignificant, overlooked or ignored. Be encouraged, God has His eye on you. And there probably is a photo of you on God's nightstand 😉