The announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-14 is familiar - the words fall comfortably in the pathways of my memory, etched deep since childhood. “And there were shepherds living in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night...an angel of the Lord appeared to them...do not be afraid...I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill to men.”
Why would God first proclaim the greatest news of all time to shepherds in a nearby field? Imagine this scene with a group of religious or political leaders - I suspect it would have had a very different outcome. In a way, it makes perfect sense that the God who sent His Son to be born as a baby in a manger, would share the miracle with the most unlikely people. God has always chosen the weak things to shame the strong, the foolish things to confound the wise.
After the shepherds recovered from the shock of this angelic announcement, they went, they worshipped and they made it widely known. The last part is what struck me anew this year. “Now when they had seen Him...they made widely known the saying concerning the Child, and all those who heard it marveled…” This group of quiet, hard-working, unlearned men suddenly became evangelists, their hearts overflowing with joy and praise from hearing the Good News.
Like the shepherds, I often tend to keep to myself and concentrate on “tending my flock.” But that night God called them beyond the familiar fields. This Christmas, I pray that God will refresh each of our unlikely hearts with the Good News in such a way that we will have joy and courage to make it widely known.
Why would God first proclaim the greatest news of all time to shepherds in a nearby field? Imagine this scene with a group of religious or political leaders - I suspect it would have had a very different outcome. In a way, it makes perfect sense that the God who sent His Son to be born as a baby in a manger, would share the miracle with the most unlikely people. God has always chosen the weak things to shame the strong, the foolish things to confound the wise.
After the shepherds recovered from the shock of this angelic announcement, they went, they worshipped and they made it widely known. The last part is what struck me anew this year. “Now when they had seen Him...they made widely known the saying concerning the Child, and all those who heard it marveled…” This group of quiet, hard-working, unlearned men suddenly became evangelists, their hearts overflowing with joy and praise from hearing the Good News.
Like the shepherds, I often tend to keep to myself and concentrate on “tending my flock.” But that night God called them beyond the familiar fields. This Christmas, I pray that God will refresh each of our unlikely hearts with the Good News in such a way that we will have joy and courage to make it widely known.
