Advent day 17:

^{Luke 2:8-20}

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The sheep were calm, collected. They may have seen the star earlier, maybe made up stories of what it could mean. I don't think any of them would of thought it a sign from God. After all, God had been silent with His people for the last four hundred years.

Then the angel showed up. "The glory of God shone around them", it says, "and they were terrified." I love that. How often does the glory of God shine around us, bright as day, but we don't recognize it and get scared? But this angel calmed their minds, "Don't be afraid. I bring good news..." That's the way to do it. Tell me you're here for good reasons.

The shepherds listened probably out of fear, but at least they listened. This news that will cause great joy for all people was directed first to them. We don't know if they were Jews or not, but the fact that the angel just says that the Christ is in the city of David gives good reason to think they were. But don't miss this: the word was first heard and spread by the lowly of lowly. Royalty, as we'll see later, was made jealous by the Infant. Those who have everything feel no need to submit to admitting they don't actually have anything. But these shepherds were not ashamed or hesitant to tell of what God had told them.

They set off to find Jesus, and when they got there they praised Him. Mary and Joseph must have been shocked when they arrived, knowing who their Son was. Maybe a wave of relief came over them. Almost like, "We're not crazy. Someone else knows." Mary pondered these things; another story to tell Jesus later. The shepherds left to spread the good news of what they had seen: surely, the Christ had been born.

Later, having told all the people they saw, they returned to see the Child again. All the people they had told were amazed at their story. Maybe even a few of them came along with the shepherds back to the stable. "You don't believe me? Look at that star, and let me show you." I have to wonder if the inn keeper ever knew what happened that night, or if he thought the shepherds that were telling crazy stories of the Christ were just drunks who didn't know when to stop.

It doesn't tell us what happened to the shepherds, except that they just kept telling of all they had seen and heard. They kept praising and glorifying God. I suppose that's all we need to know.

Use me, the lowly, to praise You, the Highest.

Amen.