December 10 – Shepherds and Angels
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20
Shepherds and Angels (Luke 2:8-20)
Anybody else get a vision of Linus from Charlie Brown? That speech that he gives when Charlie Brown wants to know what Christmas is really about. He steps to center stage with his blue blanket, a spotlight illumines him, and he quotes Luke 8:8-14 and then says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
It is a touching animated moment that has become a holiday classic. However, think about what it must have been like.
The Shepherds
The humble shepherds are out in the fields, taking care of their flocks. Night falls and they are staying with their sheep to protect them from predators and keep them from getting lost.
The night is not exactly a silent night. The sheep would have been bleating. Maybe the shepherds were chatting or singing to stay awake. Without modern electrical lights from cities, the moon and stars would have been bright and beautiful in the sky.
Angels Appear
Suddenly, the work night takes a turn for the bizarre. This ordinary night of watching sheep gets a whole lot weirder when, without warning, an angel appeared in the sky.
The Bible says that the glory of the Lord shone around them. A truly terrifying sight. So bright and awe-inspiring.
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12
Don’t be afraid
The shepherds are genuinely terrified, and the angel comforts them and tells them not to be afraid. The angel is bringing a message that is not just good news for the shepherds, but also for all people.
The Promised One, the Messiah, they have been waiting for over thousands of years, has finally arrived. Today, their waiting is over. Their Savior has been born and they are the first to hear the news.
The First Christmas Cantata
All at once, the single angel is joined by hundreds of others. They fill the skies as they sing praises to God in the first ever Christmas cantata.
What were they singing?
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors! Luke 2:14
The angels give glory to God and pronounce peace over the people of the earth. God has shown favor to His people by sending the Prince of Peace into the world.
How do they react to the news?
The angels finish their song and vacate the sky. The shepherds are left as they were before, surrounded by sheep and stars out in the country. But everything has changed.
How do the shepherds react to what they have heard? They take action. Turning to one another in amazement, the shepherds decide to leave right away to find the baby Messiah. They arrive at the manger and find Joseph, Mary, and Jesus just exactly as the angels described.
Glorifying God
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20
The shepherds come into contact with Jesus and it is a catalyst that prompts them to glorify God and praise His name. When I read the word of God, am I prompted to give all glory to God? When I meet with Him in prayer, is my heart filled with praise for His name?
December 10 Devotional Action Step:
Take a few moments and give glory to God for all He has done. Let’s give praise to the God who fulfills His promises!
Prayer:
Dear God, let your presence disrupt my everyday routine and help me not to be afraid of what You have to say. Prompt my heart to glorify You and praise Your name. Your presence changes everything! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Access to the other posts in this series and the free printables for this December can be found at the Series Overview page. Come join me as I pursue the peace and joy on the Savior’s birth throughout the month of December!