8 Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. 9 The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11 Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 14 “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. 18 Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. 20 The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Reflection
I was thinking that Shepherds’ Field or the town in the West Bank known as Beit Sahour was not at all far away from Bethlehem. Google Maps says it is about a mile, but it takes quite a while to walk between the two places, maybe 50 minutes. Now, I can’t remember if there is a checkpoint between the two places, but that very well may be. I do know that the terrain is rough – it is hilly and desert like. I also wonder what the Shepherds did with their sheep – did they just bring them along, did they leave them with the younger shepherds, or even just leave them in a cave? When I was on my tour of the Shepherds’ Field, we were led into this cave in the rock that was really a large flat space where people lived but also took their sheep and other livestock in with them at night, so maybe it was a really nice night or the shepherds were not bedded down for the night? A commentary that I read said that those sheep were probably sheep for the temple sacrifices. I’m not sure about any of those logistics, but it seems like the shepherds got the message from the angels and left as soon as they could to get to Bethlehem. We often hear that they were the first to be told. Do you think they asked questions of the angels?
In the stories leading up to and after the birth of Jesus, there are many appearances of angels. Was that a regular thing at that time or was it special because God coming to earth as a human was incredibly special? I always have lots of questions about these things. But does it really matter?
We know the shepherds were regular people. They were actually in the lower class of people during Biblical times, but shepherds are mentioned throughout the Bible – probably because they were a well-known group, and people could relate to them. We know that Jesus talked about shepherds, and we call him “the Good Shepherd.” Shepherds are care givers. Sheep are not that smart, and if they get knocked down, they can’t get up by themselves, so they need someone who can watch over them and guide them to better grazing lands and water, so they are healthy. That is what God does for us.
God sent Jesus to live among humans so he would know by experience all of those subtle and not so subtle things that happen in life that cause us to go astray. And when Jesus left earth, Jesus left us with the Holy Spirit so that we can continue to know we have that guidance. Just like the shepherds out in that field who were offered the first glimpse and experience of the Savior, we are offered that glimpse of our Savior daily through worship, scripture, prayer, fellowship with others, and by helping others. The shepherds did not leave that place and keep the experience to themselves. They shared what they saw and felt in that moment so that others could experience the same feeling of knowing that the Savior had come! We are to do the same – rejoice that the Savior is with us and share that experience with others – not just at Christmas, but throughout the year. Be a shepherd – by praising God, welcoming the Savior, and inviting others to know the Savior too!
by Janet Waryck
For Pondering and Prayer
What questions come to mind when you think about the Biblical story of Christmas? Do those questions get in the way of fully believing what God has done and will continue to do in our lives? How can we be more like the shepherds and listen to the angels and the Spirit to believe, rejoice, and to tell others of what Christ has done for us?
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for coming to dwell among us so that we can share our experience of you with others and help bring them into relationship with you. Help us to be like the shepherds who rushed to worship you and to tell others what they had seen. Amen.
