The Shepherds

In the Christmas story, I find the story regarding the shepherds of great significance.  This is found in Luke 2:8-20. 

First, these guys were living out in the fields with their sheep.  They were probably young and had no knowledge of deep theological issues.  Yet, “an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them”.  Did this happen to the leaders of the church?  No.  Did this happen to the kings on the earth?  No.  Did this even happen to the leaders of the town of Bethlehem?  Again, no.  … Has this ever happened to me?  No.  … However, not only did that happen, they heard “a multitude of the heavenly host praising God saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”  Wow!  What a privilege to these poor young shepherds living in the fields with the sheep.  An angel, the glory of the Lord, and heavenly singing were all revealed to them the night Jesus was born.

Second, because of this unbelievable miracle, they are moved to action and they quickly descend upon Bethlehem to the manger leaving their sheep, their worldly responsibility behind.  They find the manger and they get to see Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the world.  They, the shepherds, were the first people outside of Mary and Joseph to see Jesus. 

Third, these shepherds testified.  They gave testimony of their experience to Mary and Joseph which undoubtedly gave them confidence about all they had been through already.  The miraculous pregnancy, the direction to Joseph to keep Mary, and then to have to travel to Bethlehem with your pregnant wife.  Hearing the testimony of these shepherds would have been overwhelming and confirming.  I have to believe it would help strengthen their resolve to follow God’s guidance that they would soon need. 

The shepherds didn’t stop there, when they left the manger to return to their work, they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”  They testified concerning God’s call to them about Jesus.  They saw Jesus.  Then they testified about having seen Jesus.  If only we would do the same with such vigor.

Knowing God has nothing to do with our physical, societal, or theological location, status, or knowledge.  It has everything to do with hearing God’s call, choosing to see Jesus, then believing that He is the Son of God.  I pray that I’ll find time to be as simple as these shepherds in mind and spirit and hear the call of God to Himself in this season of celebration over the birth of our Savour.