Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Merry Christmas










Angel
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5x7 Canvas Panel
Today it's yummy rainy weather. To those of you stressed over shopping, you are probably not loving the conditions outside. However, to those of you like me who don't do stress and love to hunker down and snuggle on rainy days, you are loving today. I have on a pair of Eddie's old khakis and a yummy soft long sleeve t-shirt. I'm in my favorite chair with my diet coke and my Bible.
Kind of funny, one of the girls just asked me to go with them somewhere and I asked if I could wear what I had on and she laughed until she realized I was serious. Then she sweetly but firmly said "No."
This morning I was reading about the shepherds in Luke 2. Baby Jesus had just been born in verse 7 and in verse 8 we are introduced to the shepherds who were in the fields watching over their sheep . This is my favorite part, verse 9.."And the angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were so afraid."
Can you even begin to take that in? Would you have wanted to be one of those shepherds that night and experienced the "glory of the Lord?" I would! I would! I would!
In verse 10 the angel comforts them by telling them not to be afraid. Then, in verse 11 the angel says "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord."
First of all, the job of a shepherd is not a glamorous one. They are not wealthy, they are not beautifully dressed, they work in the field with livestock and I'm guessing a shower is not readily available. Yet the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shown around them. They were the first to hear of the Savior's birth. They had an invitation for a front row seat to see the King of Kings.
In verse 15 it says the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem. It does not say they changed clothes or showered or stopped anywhere on the way. It just simply says they went straight there and they went with haste.
I love love love it! When God call us to Himself, He doesn't want us to "clean up" first. He calls us to come as we are, in all our sin in all His glory. So if you hear His voice today even if it's just to sit and spend time with Him or to pray for someone, be like the shepherds. Go straight there with haste, even in old khakis and a t-shirt.
Merry Christmas! Love love love Ruthie

2 comments:

  1. Love your post. I've thought about those shepherds many times this season. I can only imagine how glorious it was to see what they saw in the sky!!! I don't blame them for being afraid, as I would have been shaking in my boots, too! I'd love to get a glimpse of what it was like....guess we'll find out in Heaven!! Merry Christmas, Ruthie, and to the rest of your sweet Carlson Clan.

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  2. Have a hard time sleeping nowadays .....I just read your blog!! Loved the Do Not Be Afraid. It just spoke loud to me that MY Savior was born and that angel tells me everyday do not be afraid Julie. Oh sweet Ruthie thanks for posting this when I needed to read it most.

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