Read: Luke 2:8–20
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:10
Just outside of Bethlehem, shepherds are living out in the open and watching over their sheep. It is night, and a census has been issued, so this scene is likely not happening during the winter months. Not being far from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish culture and worship, it is quite possible that these sheep are being raised for temple sacrifice.
Regardless, the shepherds are about to have a moment to remember. A lone angel initially appears and tells them not to be afraid, just as Zechariah and Mary were told. The angel announces to the shepherds that in Bethlehem, the town of David, the Savior of the world has been made incarnate.
At this news, “a great company of the heavenly host” appears and the worship really gets going. Can you just imagine the spectacle? How can the indescribable be put into words, to see such a sight as this?
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Once again, it is worth mentioning that the first word in Latin is used to reference the proclamations surrounding the birth of Jesus. In this case, it is called the Gloria (in excelsis Deo) for obvious reasons. The angels have praise on their lips!
How many is a great company? The Greek word used here is plethos, and it means a large number. Host, or stratia, is a word also used to describe an army. Bottom line: that’s a lot of angels! If not for the first lone angel, I imagine the sight of an endless sea of an angelic army would be too much to process for these shepherds. What an unlikely group to be chosen for the heralded news—or so it may seem.
Shepherds are at the bottom of the social spectrum. Since they are often out for long periods of time tending their sheep, they can’t adhere to the cleanliness standards and temple visits that their Jewish faith requires. Yet here they are, the first to be told of the Messiah’s birth. And not only that, but He can also be found in a simple peasant home similar to their own. He will be in a manger, the same kind of feeding trough their sheep use. He is one of them!
Sure enough, the shepherds find the baby Savior just as described. They then become the first humans to spread the word that the long-awaited and prophesied birth has happened.
You and I are just like the shepherds. We are just normal everyday people. Jesus came as Man to rescue man. He was born to save “all the people,” people like us. And after He has rescued us, we can never be the same. Like the shepherds, we need to praise the Lord all the days of our lives and also tell others about Him
And how can we forget the analogy of Psalm 23? The Lord is our Shepherd, and because of Him we don’t lack anything. He takes care of us, feeds us, disciplines us, and is with us all the days of our lives. What have we to fear when we are part of God’s flock?!
