Today’s Reading: Luke 2:8-20; Psalm 68
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. – Luke 2:8
They were shepherds doing what shepherds do. It was their job to keep their eye on the flocks, protecting them from thieves and wild animals or simply from wandering away and getting lost. Perhaps the night already felt special because there was a star over Bethlehem that was lighting up the field. It’s possible there was not anything obviously special about these young people, yet their proximity to the birth of Jesus allowed them to experience a night the world would never forget!
THEIR PROXIMITY GAVE THEM OPPORTUNITY.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. – Luke 2:9
Imagine with me how magnificent it must have been to be surrounded by the glory of the Lord. How amazing would it have been to actually see an angel of the Lord in all his beauty. Yet the shepherds were afraid. This was new. This was unexpected. This was terrifying. They were responding in the same way that many others in scripture had responded when they saw an angel for the first time. Perhaps this is why so many of the angel messages start with a message of comfort — “Do not be afraid.”
THEIR EXPERIENCE BROUGHT FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:10-12
I love it when someone approaches me asking if I want to hear good news? I find myself immediately wondering what it could be, anticipating just how good this news might be. Many life-giving moments have started with the preface — I have great news for you!
THEIR ANTICIPATION WAS FOLLOWED BY THE CLEAR WAY TO ENCOUNTER THE PROMISED MESSIAH.
I love the clarity with which the angels delivered the message to the shepherds. The shepherds were given everything they needed to know. What happened? The Messiah had been born. When did this happen? Today. Where was he born? In Bethlehem, known as the hometown of David, just as the prophets had foretold. How would they know who he was? You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The shepherds were told everything they needed to know in order to experience the presence of the long-awaited Messiah — the one who would become the Savior of the World.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14
Let’s stop and picture this moment. Close your eyes and try to visualize a great company of angels. Imagine the sky being filled with the heavenly host. Can you hear the rush of angels’ wings? Can you feel the air swirling around you? Can you hear the magnificence of the angel voices worshiping the Almighty God? It sounds to me like a moment I would want to last forever.
David spoke of a great army of angels bringing good news, an army that caused the enemy armies to scatter and flee (Psalm 68). In his vision, Daniel saw millions of angels ministering to the Ancient One and many millions attending to Him as He sat on the throne to judge (Daniel 7). Angels came to attend to Jesus after he had been tempted in the desert (Matthew 4), and an angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers after King Hezekiah laid out before the Lord a threatening letter he had received from his enemies (2 Kings 19).
On the night that Jesus was born, the angels came with a message. They were there to make sure these shepherds heard the good news about Jesus. They came rejoicing over the birth of God’s Son, praising God and celebrating this moment that held such great significance. Just as the shepherds were watching over their flocks, the angels were watching over the Lamb of God.
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.” – Luke 2:15
THEIR EXCITEMENT LED THEM TO THE PLACE WHERE THE CHRIST CHILD HAD BEEN BORN.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. – Luke 2:16-20
Jesus, today we celebrate your wondrous birth. Our hearts are exploding with gratitude for your willingness to come near so that you could make a way for us to experience salvation. Like Mary, we want to take time to treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts. As we anticipate spending time with our loved ones today, we thank you for the opportunity to spend time in your presence this morning. Thank you for a love so amazing that you became Immanual — God with us. We love you! Amen.