LUKE 2:8-20 – And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Theme: TWO LESSONS FROM THE CHRISTMAS SHEPHERDS. Imagine being one of the shepherds out in the field the night they received the word of Christ’s birth. There we are in the middle of the night. We had a long day before this night. Now we are watching our sheep on a rather dull night. The sky is filled with stars, glistening like diamonds, and all is quiet. Our sheep are content. No activity occurs and we might be fighting to stay awake. Then all of a sudden the sky explodes with brilliant light and an angel appears! From sleepy to terrified we go, and the heavenly messenger calms our fear with these words – Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
From this divine encounter with God’s messenger, numerous lessons are modeled for us from these Christmas shepherds that we may apply in the Christian life. Here are two.
First, the presence of child-like faith. There was no questioning the angelic proclamation of Christ’s birth. These shepherds did not doubt the words they heard or sit around and rationalize away the message. Here was simple faith in God’s message. They model for us the need for the same child-like faith. The old saying is true . . . “God said it. I believe it and that is enough.” Learn to accept what God says even if we don’t fully understand it. That is what faith does. It trusts without needing the “why” question answered.
The second lesson from the Christmas shepherds is they were not silent about Christ’s birth – And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. The good news, the best news, a Savior is born, is not news to hoard and be silent but to share and proclaim. As Christians, we are saved to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.
Spend time this Christmas Eve or tomorrow, Christmas Day pondering the lessons from the shepherds. They teach us much about the Christian life.
PRAYER: “Father, help me be as eager for the truth of Your Son as these early shepherds were.”
QUOTE: “An eager heart to know, love, and adore the Lord of glory characterizes the healthy Christian.”