Who Are These People?

Who are these people?

Huddled in the straw with the animals
Dirty and exhausted from a long journey
Unwed parents and poor

I have seen them
Among the glittering lights and tinsel
Immortalized in plaster and stained glass and stone
Who are they?

Who are these people?
Whose cause cities, states and countries
to argue over their very presence
Who cause the hearts of men and women to rejoice
Who are they?

Who is this Shepherd?
They say a lowly messenger.
What news did he carry
that created such a commotion throughout the world?

Why this star?
Shining so brightly above
They say signal, a guide
Where did it lead?

Who is this baby?
Lying in the dirty feeding trough
The center of it all
Who are these people?

I was shocked when asked this very question by foreign students visiting our home. I had never in 40 years been asked this and never expected to be asked. Doesn’t everyone already know? Throughout the world, there are people asking this question. In America, people are asking this question. Are we in danger of letting the Greatest Story Ever Told fade away? We must spread the news as the Shepherds did. The news that supernatural messengers of God appeared in the sky rejoicing and praising this little baby, announcing Him to be the Savior of the World to be worshipped by the meek and lowly. We must share that a star led travelers a great distance to find the child so that it could be worshipped by the learned people and the wealthy. We must tell how this child has not only changed world history, but how He has changed our personal life. We must tell. We must tell it on the mountain. We must sing “Joy to the World.” We must sing “Amazing Grace.” We must stand up when others stand against Him. We must dispel the misinformation, the misdirection, and the confusion. We must be as clear as the angels’ message and as bright as the star. It is the most important thing in the world that people know the answer to the question…. “Who are these people.”



Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.