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On the night Jesus was born, shepherds were living in the fields near Bethlehem and watching over their flocks. They were ordinary working men, yet God chose them to receive the announcement of the Saviour’s birth. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and the angel told them not to be afraid.
The message was good news of great joy for all people: “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” It is easy to become distracted by arguments about dates and Christmas traditions, but Scripture brings us back to what matters most. Jesus Christ came into the world to save.
The shepherds were told they would find the Child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. The promised King arrived in humility. He would later be identified as the Lamb of God, the One who would give His life once and for all for our sins. The manger points us forward to the cross and to the salvation Christ came to accomplish.
The shepherds hurried to see Jesus and then told others what they had heard. They returned glorifying and praising God. Their response is beautifully simple: believe the message, come to Christ and make Him known. The good news was not given to be kept quietly to ourselves.
