The Announcement of Christ's Birth to the Shepherds

Luke 2:820
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:89

On the night Jesus was born, there were shepherds in the field watching over their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared and the shepherds were frightened, but the angel said:

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

"And ... ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:1012).

Suddenly there appeared a multitude of angels praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14; see also Luke 2:13).

When the angels had gone, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go ... unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us" (Luke 2:15). Hurrying to Bethlehem, the shepherds found Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger (see Luke 2:16).

Later, as the shepherds returned to their flocks, telling the people abroad what the angel had said about Jesus, they glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen (see Luke 2:1718).

Summary

The night Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds tending their flocks. The angel announced the Savior's birth in Bethlehem and told the shepherds they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Suddenly many angels appeared to the shepherds, praising God and declaring peace on earth. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby Jesus, just as the angel had said. As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they told others of the glorious things they had heard and seen.

Artist, Del Parson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: Now you know the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth. Answer the question that Jesus asks the Pharisees found in Matthew 22:42. Are you more like the shepherds or the Pharisees? Do you rush to learn of Him or try to justify your defiance to his commandments?

A word about the shepherds...why would the angel and host of angels appear to them? I don't have a scriptural reference or modern revelation to back up this theory so be clear this is only my opinion!....They took care of the lambs that would be offered for sacrifice at the temple. In the New Testament there are many references to lambs and shepherds; symbolic of Jesus and His love and care for us. I think the shepherds would have often discussed the purpose of sacrificing the lambs they loved and took care of therefore they would be more prepared to meet the Lamb of God.