Haste

During the holiday season, we hear words like rushing or busy, describing the pace of life and the hecticness people experience at this time of the year. These words or phrases often describe a negative or perhaps destructive activity. However, when you read the gospel of Luke, there is a moment that depicts a scene where the word haste is now something we all should pursue. The author describes when an angel appears to a group of shepherds, tending to their flock at night. Then, spectacularly, the angel of the Lord declares a word from God that a Savior has been born in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:8-11). 

Note the shepherds' response: "When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger" (Luke 2:15-16, ESV). The shepherds went with haste; in Greek, the association is with hurry or hasten. So, the shepherds have a sense of urgency and excitement after hearing God's fulfillment of a promised Savior. These men ran to the infant-born Jesus, and without delay, there was a response to the message they heard. Therefore, during this Christmas season, listen to what the Lord is telling you, and with absolute haste, go to Him – who is Christ the Lord. 

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