Micah 4-5

Revelation 12

“There were shepherds living out in the fields near by.…Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.’” —Luke 2:8, 13-14

Everyone knows who the rich and powerful are. During the New Testament time, the world knew who Caesar Augustus was, but heaven’s eyes were fixed on the Child born to teenage parents in a remote village in Israel.

The birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about a Messiah coming to save humanity from sin. What a joy and what a celebration! Did God tell the angels to go tell the priests at the Temple in Jerusalem? Did God tell the angels to go to talk to Caesar in Rome? Or did God announce the birth of the Messiah to the rich, to the wise, to the powerful and to the influential?

Of all the people that God could have been chosen, the shepherds were the first ones to receive the announcement. Shepherds were not high on the social ladder; they were travelling nomads who were looked down upon, often regarded as unclean in a purity culture. Luke 2:8 tells us, “There were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” These shepherds were tending their sheep in the fields outside of Bethlehem not far from Jerusalem. Chances are they were raising sheep for the sacrificial system that was part of the Old Covenant. The very sheep that would be sold in the Temple as a sin offering for people to make atonement for their sins.

The angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12). Those raising lambs for slaughter were told about the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world. It was almost like God gave them an advance notice that they had an occupational hazard coming up because the One who can actually remove our sins and atone for them completely had come into the created order in the person of Jesus Christ.

After hearing this, the shepherds hurried to find the baby. “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-18). Like the shepherds, who heard the news about the Saviour and went to tell others, whom can we share the good news of Jesus Christ with this Christmas?

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the best news that I can share with others! I ask for the courage to tell others about You. Thank You, Lord.