And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 ESV)
As the people in Bethlehem and across Israel slept, none of them had recognized that the most incredible moment in history had just unfolded. As the newborn Messiah cried into the night, surrounded by the world He created, the human race thought time would continue on uninterrupted. Yet, God in His infinite wisdom, love, and grace, had just stepped into the world He created and everything was about to change.
There in the “same region” near the city of Bethlehem was a group of shepherds watching their flock that night. These men would have been ceremonially unclean and unable to come into the presence of God at the Temple. It is fascinating because it was most likely that these shepherds were the ones who cared for the sheep who were the sacrificial animals that would be used at the very Temple they themselves could never visit. Some historical evidence seems to suggest that shepherds were seen as unreliable and untrustworthy as they couldn’t even testify in court.
As these men were doing what they had done so many nights before, God as He often does, stepped in to interrupt their lives. First, an angel appeared to them. How incredible that when they couldn’t come to God, God came to them! This is an echo of the incarnation, one that in Christ each of us has experienced personally. As the angel appeared, these courageous shepherds who protected their sheep from all the most dangerous wild animals and bandits, were now totally overcome with fear. Because of what was now unfolding, the day was swiftly approaching where instead of being filled with fear, these men could be filled with saving faith.
Here to these most likely uneducated, socially rejected, spiritually distant shepherds, the heavenly announcement concerning the fulfillment of God’s promises across thousands of years rings out. First the angel calls on the men not to fear and then he tells them why. We are reminded that the coming of Jesus is the beginning of the Good News, and it is still the very best news today. This good news wasn’t just something to hear and go back to life like before, it was and is good news of great joy and was and is for all people.
For them, and the whole world, the Savior had been born in the “city of David” and even at His birth this child is Christ the Lord. This child was the One who would destroy the works of the ancient serpent of Eden, the devil (see Genesis 3:15). This child was the One by whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed (see Genesis 22:18). This child was the One who would rule on the throne of David forever (see 2 Samuel 7:14). As Christ, He is the promised anointed One. As Lord, He will both rule and reign forever.
As the angel proclaimed the eternal Gospel of God to these lowly men, a heavenly chorus of praise broke out. The heavens couldn’t contain their praise, God forbid that we could! This Christmas season I hope you’ll sit and consider: Does the truth of Christmas still stir your heart? Does it still fill you with awe? Do you still feel led to sing and praise God for the incredible Good News of the Gospel? Does the incarnation of our King still bring you great joy?
Heavenly Father, thank You for proclaiming the fulfillment of Your promises and the birth of Your Son to lowly shepherds. Lord, even at Your birth Your entire life is instructive. Help us never think of someone beneath us or too inconsequential to share the Gospel with. Help us to take great joy in the good news of the Gospel. Stir our hearts and awaken our minds to the true beauty of Christmas. Let our voices rise in worship and adoration as we thank You for all You have and are doing. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
