The Moments of Jesus’ Birth and the Shepherds

Have you ever reflected on why, in the moments surrounding Jesus’ birth, a group of shepherds were present? They were simple people, seemingly a contrast to the other visitors who came to see Jesus in the sheepfold, such as the wise men and learned.

Surely it was not without purpose that God placed the shepherds in the midst of that historic scene. What can we learn from the posture of their hearts?

Why Shepherds?

In that region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. – Luke 2:8-9 

That night, when everyone else was asleep, the angel of the Lord came to shepherds who were keeping watch over their livestock in the fields. Why were shepherds chosen as the first people to receive that heavenly news? Why did God not choose someone more famous, wealthy, powerful, or a religious leader with great influence in society?

We may imagine that these shepherds’ clothes were not very clean after hours of keeping watch near the flock. They were not educated people and had no standing in society. They also had nothing they could offer to the baby Jesus.

So, the angel’s good news to the shepherds shows us who our God is. That He receives and loves everyone. rich or poor, successful or failed, whether honored or ordinary. God cares for you, whatever your status or condition may be right now. When people do not notice you, and you feel like you do not count, believe this: God sees you and receives you.  

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribe. – Deuteronomy 10:17

The Good News and the Example of the Shepherds’ Faith

The presence of the shepherds in the story of Jesus’ birth can teach us how to respond to God’s call. Here is the posture of their hearts when they heard the joyful news, which is worthy of our example:

1. Humble, but Not Insecure

Then the angel said to them: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people: Today a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:10-12 

Not only were they startled and perhaps deeply afraid when visited by the heavenly host, the shepherds surely also realized their position before God. They were only simple people of low status, nobodies with nothing. 

Even so, these shepherds were not insecure about who they were. They accepted that honorable invitation without thinking, “Who am I, anyway? Why me, and not someone else who is better than I am? Is a shepherd like me worthy to come before the Son of God?”

What if God had invited a group of people who were more clever, wealthy, and respected to see the baby Jesus? Their response might have been different. Especially when they heard that the Savior had been born in a sheepfold and laid in a manger (a place where livestock feed). Perhaps they would have been reluctant to come because the news sounded unreasonable. How could the promised Savior be born in a place like that?

In truth, this event also proves how humble our God is, that He chose to be born far from great honor: in a lowly sheepfold, surrounded by animals. The humility of God, in harmony with the humility of the shepherds, gave them the opportunity to meet the King of kings face to face.

Humility, not insecurity, is what made God choose the shepherds to see the baby Jesus. What about us? Have we responded well to God, who has chosen us as His people?

2. Believe and Do What Is Commanded

After the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." Then they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. – Luke 2:15-16 

After the angel left them, the shepherds hurried to the place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. They did not question why a Savior was born poor in a livestock shelter. Why not be born in a magnificent palace with a grand welcome ceremony? The shepherds believed the words of the angel of the Lord and immediately did what they were told.

Today, how much do we trust God’s word? When the word says, "Love your enemies," do you obey, or do you have your own thoughts such as, "If I love him, he will only take advantage of me"? How obedient and trusting are you toward God when the word says that God will help you when you have no way out (1 Corinthians 10:13)? Do you hold fast to His promise, that He will always be with you, even in the valley of deepest darkness (Psalm 23:4)?

Let us learn from the example of the shepherds who believed the angel’s message and obeyed the command that came from God with all their hearts.

“If you love Me, you will keep all My commandments.” – John 14:15

3. Eager to Pass On the Good News

When you receive good news, do you not want to share it at once with the people who matter most in your life? Do you not want to tell it right away to those closest to you, whom you value, respect, and love?

And when they saw Him, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. – Luke 2:17-18

When the shepherds finally saw the baby Jesus, they could not contain their joy. They could hardly wait to tell others what they had heard and seen. They wanted everyone to hear that good news as well.

Today, are we still eager to tell others about the Savior who was born into the world, became like man, and died to redeem our sins? Do we have hearts like the shepherds? Hearts filled with joy, eager to pass on the good news to family, friends, colleagues, children, nephews and nieces, even our parents? 

And how can they proclaim Him unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful is the coming of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:15

There is much we can learn from the moments surrounding Jesus’ birth, including from several of the people involved, such as Joseph, Mary, and the wise men. We can also learn from the shepherds, who responded to the news of the Lord’s birth with faith and came to Him with humility. Most importantly, they did not keep that joyful news to themselves, but spread it to many others. 

If God was able to use the shepherds for His glory, He can also use you to be a blessing to many people. Merry Christmas. God with us!

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Related articles:

• Is It Wrong to Have a Beautiful Christmas Celebration?
• Looking for the Baby Jesus: Am I One of the Wise Men or King Herod? (Part 1)
• Mary: A Dream Beyond the Impossible

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