There were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. – Luke 2:8
Here they were in the fields, shepherds doing their jobs when an angel appeared to them. The Bible records that they were not the only ones who were visited by an angel. The angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her she was blessed by God to carry the baby Jesus. The priest Zechariah, a righteous but old man, was fulfilling his duty in the temple when an angel of God appeared to him to tell him that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son (Luke 1:11-25).
Now God favored these lowly shepherds with the great news that Christ the Savior had been born. There was no doubt in their minds that what the angel, and then the host of angels, told them was true. They said, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15, emphasis added).
They were excited to go to Bethlehem, and they were even more excited when they left, for they told all the people they met about the Christ child. Mary pondered on all these things, but the shepherds “returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (vv. 17-20).
The holidays can go by without a word about the true reason for the season. As you meditate on the gift of Christ in these next two weeks, will you be excited to tell people about Jesus? Pray for boldness to proclaim the Gospel story. Then intercede for those who have heard but have rejected. May their eyes be opened to the peace that Christ can give.
Today’s Verse: Luke 2:8
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 85:4-9
Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
