“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” – Luke 2:8-11.
When was the last time you received some good news? How did you respond? With Christmas just 16 days away, it is the season to reflect on the Christmas story. The story of the birth of our Lord and Savior is tapestry made up of many different story threads. The shepherds are one of them. They received good news, and their response to that good news is what makes their part of the story compelling.
Try to imagine what it must have been like to be the shepherds. Tending sheep was not a glamorous or desirable job, as they spent much of their lives in solitude. But it needed to be done, and they did it. The peacefulness of another evening protecting their flock was broken when an angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. It was almost too much for them to handle. The Bible says they were terrified. But the angel quickly told them not to fear because he came to bring them good news. The Savior of the world had been born. And the shepherds could find the newborn Christ lying in a manger in Bethlehem. After hearing this news from the one angel, they suddenly heard an army of angels in heaven singing praises to God. Can you imagine? Serenaded by a choir of angels.
When the shepherds heard this impressive announcement of the newborn Messiah, they said to one another, “Let’s go!” The shepherds could have declined the invitation. They could have declared themselves unworthy of meeting the Messiah. But they chose to say yes to Jesus’ invitation. They had the faith to follow, to go. It says in verse 16 that the shepherds “hurried.”
Luke’s Gospel makes no mention of the shepherds doing anything else. There was no work to be undertaken, no task to be accomplished, no requirements to enter the presence of Jesus. You would think they stood there in awe in the presence of the Son of God. The faith of the shepherds is an example for each of us. Through the example of the shepherds, we can be encouraged that we don’t need to have it all together, we don’t need to be at the top of society, and we don’t need to have all the answers. We need to recognize God’s invitation and remember that we can respond in faith, always trusting in Him.
We are faced with the same decision—to go or stay regarding God. Not only to go to church but also to go out into the world and do the things of God. Each of us has a talent that we have to decide to use. Each of us has an opportunity to bring God into conversation. The encounter between the angels and the shepherds gave them pause to think. It encouraged them. However, the encounter between the shepherds and Christ, while introduced by the message of the angels, happened because the shepherds decided to go.
Discussion Questions:
- Read Luke 2:13-14. Share how you would have reacted if millions of God’s angels broke out in the first Christmas chorus right before your eyes?
- God intentionally chooses the disfranchised to receive His good news. God can use you to reach others if we are willing to go. What can you do so that you will be more willing to go?