We continue our journey with the players of the first Christmas story. We began with sweet Mary, moved on to the carpenter Joseph, and today we take a look at the shepherds, the first to get the birth announcement. We know some about him but not a lot.
This is one of my favorite pieces of the Christmas story because it reminds me that God will switch things up even more than we might expect. He told Mary and Joseph first. Of coarse He did since they would actually be there at the beginning. But why the shepherds? They stink. They are really more like outcasts and not who should be told first, if you ask the opinion of others.
Listen in to their part of the story:
Luke 2:8-20 NLT
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the [l]manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Ok. So they were the first to hear, but it was a first announcement in real cool fashion. Not a card in the mail. Not a call or a friend stopping by. Dropping in from heaven with all the drama and wonder of a great sci-fi movie, the angels show up with a light and glory show right before this group of people.
This was a world changing event announced to the least of people. Shepherds weren’t really the least of a class of people. They were thought of as the lowest. But they were the first. God thought enough of this group to tell them first and to tell others through them.
What does that do for me and for you? We are reminded that God thinks about and loves and has plan for everyone. There are no second class citizens. All people matter, even the down and out and not so perfect people. There is hope for all.
Again, they were afraid. I would be too, but God removed their fears with His word and the word of heaven. Pretty powerful there. Angels were the messengers and agents from heaven, directly from God with a word from God.
Immediate obedience brings blessing. Delayed obedience is immediate disobedience. But even further, if you delay, you might miss all that is going on. They chose to go quickly to see what they had heard.
And they found what they were told about. God gave the Savior, Messiah, the son of God, the Glory of God right in front of them so they could experience life, hope, peace and so much more. Then everyone knew. This got Mary’s attention. In fact it got everyone’s attention. People listened as this group people most likely avoided announced the best thing that will ever happen.
The shepherds again give all others hope. They were given a savior. We have been given a savior.
Christmas is for everyone. Enjoy. Take it all in. Tell others. Jesus is the …
one sent from heaven for everyone.
light of the world announced by the best of heaven.
changer of lives, giver of dreams, breaker of the bad stuff all so people can have the best.
So, take some time to see the shepherds of the Christmas story in a new light. That would be light of the Christmas and heaven angels. Have yourself a very, merry Christmas!
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