Did you ever ask yourself how God speaks to those who listen? In prayer the Lord speaks to our heart. We may be occupied during the day, however if we turn to him even just for a moment in prayer he is speaking to us and helping us to discern what we are to do on a daily basis.

Now let us turn to the shepherds who were tending their flocks in the field. The Lord sent his angels to tell them the good news that the Messiah, Jesus, the Lord, has been born in Bethlehem.

We have here the account from the Gospels of those who were awaiting his coming.

 Now “in that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, who is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’   When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2: 2-52

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ For so it has been written by the prophet, “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

…Herod who was king at that time inquired of the Magi where this child was to be born. The wise men, (the magi) told king Herod that the child was to be born in Bethlehem. Afterwards they set out and there, ahead of them, went a star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, (because he wished to harm the child) they left for their own country by another road.

So from this one can see that God speaks to all people. He spoke to the shepherds in the fields by night, and spoke to the kings as they traveled and searched for the One who was recently born. God speaks to us as individuals. He came to earth to save all people. No matter who we are or where we are in life we can hear the voice of the Lord in our soul. He may speak to us through a sermon that we heard in church, or through a person who is seeking to help us, or in the silence of our life of prayer. God is with us as he was with the shepherds and the kings. He has sent his Son on this earth for the pardon of our sins and to draw all peoples to himself. This Christmas in a special way, let us approach our King and Savior with confidence believing in his love for each one of us. And let us share this message as the shepherds did to all whom we meet.