MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
This article continues a series on finding Jesus in the gospels. The scripture reading today is from Luke chapter 2, and begins, "There were shepherds staying [living] out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night" (verse 8). This night was no different from any night in more than a thousand years, on the same high pastureland outside Bethlehem where David as a boy had kept his father's sheep. Centuries before that, God had chosen shepherds such as Abraham and Moses to lead His people.
By the time of Jesus, the position of shepherd was dirty, demanding and demeaning. Jewish shepherds didn’t have time to keep all the cleanliness regulations demanded by Pharisees. Therefore, being unclean, they couldn’t go into the temple to worship, and they became marginalized by society.
However, “An angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (verse 9). Of all the kings and governors, scribes and priests - of all the palaces and courts across the land - it is bewildering that God's messenger chose to appear to shepherds. The birth of Jesus was undeclared, unannounced, and unnoticed by everyone else that night.
Later, the apostle Paul explained why, in 1 Corinthians 1:25-31. He compared human standards with God's, and weak things with strong, saying that if anyone were to boast, it should be boasting for the Lord. God brings honor to the humble, turns the ordinary into extraordinary, makes simple things divine. The concept reflects His desire to offer salvation to everyone. First shared with shepherds, the message is for all of us. His salvation would come through One who would be the Good Shepherd, who would give His life for the sheep (John 10:11), and rejoice when the lost is found (Luke 15:4-7).
The angels' proclamation frightened them but announced a long-awaited promise. "The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'" (Luke 2:9-11). The mention of the location would have brought to their minds God's promise, spoken through the prophet Nathan, assuring David that one of his own descendants would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
The angel identified the baby as "Christ the Lord" and mentioned His name, Jesus, which means "Jehovah saves". We as humans are a sinful, lost people who need rescue, not from material or political ruin; we need One who redeems our life morally and spiritually. We need not fear, but rejoice at His coming. When the multitude of angels sang of peace, they meant more than an absence of conflict; the peace this Child would bring flows from trust in God's eternal plan. In Christ, God is glorified by fulfilling His word - bringing reconciliation and inner peace when we view others and the world as God does.
The angel said that the baby would be "'...wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger'" (verse 12). To shepherds, a manger was an accessible, familiar, and humble place which made the Savior approachable. Being excluded all their lives from social or religious events, they were now welcomed to see the King of Kings, lying in a feeding trough.
The heavenly host broke into an angelic hymn (verse 13-14). The grace of heaven, and peace to satisfy the needs of earth, were brought together on the night of His birth. On the eve of his death, Jesus would tell His disciples, "'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you'" (John 14:27).
“And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, 'Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us'" (verse 15). With certainty of purpose, without a doubt about God’s message, they journeyed "with haste" to Bethlehem. They thus experienced the first viewing of the Holy Family, which is often reenacted at Christmas.
As witnesses to the wonder and marvel of the new life God's Son came to share, they also became the first to share the Good News. "When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart" (verses 17-19).
Sometimes, after Christmas is past, the glow and joy seem like a dream, and life moves quickly back to routine. Yes, the shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, where they continued to work day and night. But after the angelic visit, and worship at the manger, profound changes came to their lives (verse 20).
Lyrics to the song, "Adoration" are spoken, as by a shepherd, regarding the Child that night. "He takes my finger and He won't let go - and He won't let go." Let Him hold and change your life.
