What we can see with our eyes

The time came for Mary’s son to be born and with Joseph by her side, she delivered her first child.
A baby boy who they named Jesus.
[In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David.
His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary.
Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning!
You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that.
But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you:
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
Luke 1:26-28 MSG]
As she was remembering, I am sure she was overwhelmed with emotions.
The road to the stable was long and hard and she was tired.
You can imagine her feeling exhausted, sad that she left her family, weary from the days of travel.
I am also sure she was overwhelmed with the ‘thought’ of this little baby being someone very special.
As they rested she probably thought back on all the conversations she had shared with Elizabeth.
She remembered how Elizabeth’s baby responded to her voice and how powerful that moment was for them.
So much was on her heart and in her mind and mixed with her emotions of just giving birth.
The next cast of characters to arrive on the scene are the Shepherds.
In Luke we find the story.
[8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.
This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over.
“Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.”
They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Seeing was believing. (THIS is what WE SEE with our eyes)
They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen.
It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!]