Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on earth, goodwill to men. A child is born. The King of kings. Find Him in a manger, in a stable, in Bethlehem.

Shepherds (men, women) who care for God's sheep. Not hirelings, but shepherds willing to lay down their lives for the sheep. Hear the angel's words... He has come! Can you hear the hosts of angels singing?

Don't stay on a hill far away. Come. Come to the Bethlehem (house of Bread) and find Him there.

I found myself during Christmas worship entering the stable where He was born. Having to stoop over to get through the door, I was aware first of the smell of the stable. Stench. Overwhelming stench. Then I saw the manger and everything in me bowed as low as I could. It's Him. The Christ-child. The Son of God. As aware as I was of His Holy Presence, I was equally aware of my sinfulness.

How can it be that I, a sinner could come into the presence of God. He is a baby. How can He be a King? a Savior? a Deliverer? He is but a Babe. But He IS the King. He IS the Savior. He IS the Deliverer. MY King, MY Savior, MY Deliverer.

In this place, I worship Him. Honor Him. Sing praise to His name. And I thank Him for coming to redeem my life from destruction. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. Thank You!

No wonder He wasn't born in a clean room in the Inn. How 'right' that He be birthed in a smelly stable!! How can He come to Inn-hearts where there is no room for Him? He comes to be born within stable-hearts, where it the stench is overwhelming. Thank You Father, for Your wisdom. Thank You for coming to the stable of my heart, amid the foul smells of my sin and thank You for being born in me. I worship You, baby Jesus! I worship You, King of kings.

Anew, this Christmas morning. I worship You, Lord God Almighty, Savior of the World, with all the shepherds who hear the angel chorus singing:

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL TO MEN!!