Response Required

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2:15-20

An encounter with Jesus always elicits a response. The shepherds, upon seeing the Christ child in the manger, shared the news of the Savior's birth with others. Then they went back to the fields where they had come from, in an attitude of praise to God; giving Him the glory for what had been revealed to them. Later, during the three years of Jesus' ministry, there would be those who would become His disciples; following Him even to death. Conversely, there would be those who despised Him and would turn away from His message of salvation, even to the point of betrayal. It is no different today. Some people will accept Him, others will reject Him. But either way, a decision is always required.