In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But 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; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:8-14, NASB)
Isn’t it interesting that God would choose to announce the birth of His Son to the shepherds? These men were on the bottom of the social and economic scale. I guess God was being consistent: The Bible says that God humbles the proud, and exalts the humble.
The angel starts with the traditional greeting: “Do not be afraid . . . ” He then goes on to tell them of the miraculous birth of “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The shepherds undoubtedly knew to expect, at some point, the Messiah. “Christ” is from a Greek word, meaning “Messiah.” We can imagine their excitement when they heard this news from an agent of God!
“When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.'” (Luke 2:15) The shepherds went straight to Bethlehem, found Joseph, Mary, and the Baby, and they worshiped their newborn King.
While we most likely will not have an experience like the shepherds did, we’re called to worship the King. God’s Christmas present to us was given in perfect love. It’s up to us to either accept the gift or to reject it. I pray that as we celebrate the Advent of Jesus Christ, those of us who haven’t trusted in God’s gift, will call upon the name of the Lord, and be saved!
Quiz: According to the song, “Rudolph the Red – Nosed Reindeer,” name all the reindeer.
Answer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph, and . . .
. . . Olive. Olive was a mean one. “Olive, the other reindeer, used to laugh and call [Rudolph] names . . . “