One night a family with multiple children was noisily chattering away at the
dinner table when the youngest, a four-year-old, stood up on his chair and
shouted, "Pass the butter!" His parents sat in stunned silence for a moment and
then sent the young, ill-mannered child to his room.
The father of the family later told his noisy bunch that he had sound recorded
the evening meal. On playback a quiet voice was heard asking, "Please pass the
butter." A few moments later the voice called out a little louder, "Could
someone PLEASE pass the butter." A few moments later there was the thundering
shout everyone remembered from the meal, "Pass the butter!"
Often it isn't that God didn't tell us something, it is that we weren't
listening. Maybe there was too much noise and activity to recognize the still
small voice of God speaking to our hearts.
The story of the angelic visit to the Bethlehem Shepherds bids us consider why
they were chosen to hear the announcement of the Savior's birth. Could it be at
least in part that they would listen? The shepherds led a quiet life; being
around sheep required peaceful conduct. The shepherd's lives were not cluttered
with "a thousand things to do." They were hushed enough to hear the angels and
hushed enough to visit a newborn baby. Are you?
Can you hear the Lord's voice over the noise of this Christmas? Take some time
to hush your heart, turn off the TV and radio, go to a quiet place and listen
for the Lord's voice.
Contributed by Michael Ullrich:
mike@in-his-steps.com
Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column
appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on
his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.