As the Christmas story unfolds, God gave the shepherds a sign so they could find Jesus. 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” [1] Luke 2:8-12.
Can you imagine the excitement of the shepherds as they hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus? The shepherds had seen angels. The shepherds had heard angels from heaven praising God, and that same evening they would encounter Jesus. Their hearts must have been racing as they went to Bethlehem to look for the baby wrapped in cloth and in a manger. The description of the baby was a sign for them so they could recognize the Messiah.
Does God still give us signs today?
God absolutely still speaks to us today through signs. Signs don’t have to be bush on fire or an angelic messenger. Signs are simply the supernatural breaking through to the natural world. Signs from God are unexplainable yet undeniable. There is no indication from the Bible that miraculous signs stopped when the last book of the Bible was written. In fact, what we see from Scripture is the timelessness and unchanging nature of God: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). So, if God remains the same and God spoke through signs and wonders time and time again, why wouldn’t He continue to do so today?
Many times, God will speak to you through prayer. For instance, you might be praying that God would forgive you as you forgive others. This is part of the Lord’s Prayer. While you are praying this, God may bring to your mind a situation where you haven’t forgiven. God is telling you to forgive and make things right. That’s a sign from God.
As you go along your spiritual journey, God speaks to you in many different ways. Take time to seek the Lord through Scripture meditation and prayer. Don’t be surprised as God speaks to you in ways He has not before. Merry Christmas!
Listen to a conversation about the Christmas story: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/god-steps-into-time/the-gift-of-jesus
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 2:8–12). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.