13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The shepherds were out in the field, outside of Bethlehem, minding their own business watching over the sheep as they did every night. On this night there was an interruption in their routine. An angel, sent by God, appeared among them to share good news. The radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded all who were there. It was a shocker because the shepherds were not expecting a visitor in the darkness of the night!
The angel could have been sent to the chief priests or the elders, but instead, the angel appeared to the most unimportant of people, uneducated, poor shepherds out in the fields. You see, these unnamed shepherds were the ones to get the good news. They did not live a stable life because they would move from place to place in search of grazing land for their sheep. The Bible tells us that the shepherds were filled with great fear. So, the angel told the shepherds not to be afraid. “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
After telling the shepherds the Good News of Jesus’ birth and how to find the baby, the angel was joined by thousands of other angels. They showed up and began singing about the greatness of God. Can you imagine standing there, when the dark quiet night sky filled with a beautiful blinding light and loud song? Can you imagine? Once the shepherds had heard the good news, they were anxious to go to find the Baby Jesus, and see the amazing thing that God had done.
After the angels left, the shepherds looked around and said, “Come, let us go to Bethlehem and see.” So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby. After the shepherds had seen the Baby Jesus, they returned telling everybody the good news, and all who heard it were amazed. They went back to their post in the fields, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen. They were overjoyed, forever changed and full of praise.
Here at Good Shepherd, our church is so appropriately named. We are reminded each time we enter the Sanctuary; we see the image of the Good Shepherd with a Staff in the Chancel area. Our Lord is the Good Shepherd who watches over us and cares for us. Our Lord hears our prayers, knows our deepest needs, and watches over us more carefully than any earthly shepherd. Thanks be to God!
The shepherds were humble people. They listened; they were obedient; left their flocks and went to Bethlehem. How should we respond when called? Like the shepherds, we too, are called to humble ourselves and go, full of joy and praise. So, during this Christmas season, let us go to Bethlehem and see. While on the journey, we will draw closer to our Lord and our Savior, and know Jesus more fully for ourselves. As people of God, living in the real world, let us lift our hearts in praise, and give thanks for the gift of a Savior. Amen!
Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas season,
Candace E. Carter, Certified Lay Minister Emeritus
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