And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:"Glory to God in the highest.
And on earth peace, goodwill towards men!
Luke 2:14
The shepherds have a front row seat to the first press release on a newly born Christ child, and what a press release it is! Imagine being in a field at night under a star filled sky. Maybe there is a sheep bleating here and there but for the most part it's quiet. Same old thing night after night. And suddenly an angel appears proclaiming the birth of the long awaited Christ ~ an announcement that is backed up by a full compliment of singing angels.
I think I would be a bit intimidated, terrified and fascinated. I would most likely fall to my knees, try to run away or hide. But the shepherds stayed the course and their recorded reaction was almost childlike in its sweet simplicity ~
"Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." ~ Luke 2:15
They didn't argue whether they were hallucinating or the butt of a cruel joke. No, they simply said, let's go check it out. And once they confirmed the heavenly press release, they went on a promotional campaign of their own.
Now when they had seen Him they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ~ Luke 2:17-18
And when they were done, they praised God for His good news, news that peace and goodwill were showered on men by their very Maker.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen... ~ Luke 2:20
We could camp out with these shepherds for awhile. The significance of God's choice for the first people who receive the news of His Son's birth; the way in which it was proclaimed to them and their reaction; both the angels and the shepherds praising a glorious, merciful, loving God. It makes me feel even more connected to Him. He came to my level so that I could rise to His.
I think I would be a bit intimidated, terrified and fascinated. I would most likely fall to my knees, try to run away or hide. But the shepherds stayed the course and their recorded reaction was almost childlike in its sweet simplicity ~
"Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." ~ Luke 2:15
They didn't argue whether they were hallucinating or the butt of a cruel joke. No, they simply said, let's go check it out. And once they confirmed the heavenly press release, they went on a promotional campaign of their own.
Now when they had seen Him they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ~ Luke 2:17-18
And when they were done, they praised God for His good news, news that peace and goodwill were showered on men by their very Maker.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen... ~ Luke 2:20
We could camp out with these shepherds for awhile. The significance of God's choice for the first people who receive the news of His Son's birth; the way in which it was proclaimed to them and their reaction; both the angels and the shepherds praising a glorious, merciful, loving God. It makes me feel even more connected to Him. He came to my level so that I could rise to His.
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