Glory to God
The shepherds were a rough group of men
they had to be strong and able bodied to be able to fight off lions
or other animals that might come near the sheep.
They had to be not fearful of the dark or of the enemies
waiting in the dark.
They were not a highly respected group of men either.
They were dirty and the job they had was very dangerous.
They were simple outside rugged men
who would sleep on the rough ground and walk many miles
to get their job done.
They stayed with their flocks day and night and did what they needed
to protect them and keep them safe.
Isn’t it incredible that God would use them to be a part of the
‘nativity story?’
Isn’t it like Him to use a rough group of men who were so
unsuspecting and not likely to be placed in a story that would be
such an important part of history?
Kind of like a ‘virgin girl’ chosen to give life to a SON
and a common man choosing to marry her.
Luke 2: 8-13
And there were shepherd living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them.
and they were terrified.
(Remember these men were not terrified of anything
this had to have been a miraculous and stunning moment for them)
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.
(Isn’t it interesting the angels always have to say ‘don’t be afraid’ before talking
to people?)
Do not be afraid.
I bring your good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;
he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom
his favor rests.”
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.”
(Some writers actually said they left their flocks and hurried off to find Mary and Joseph and the baby in the manger. I wonder is that not too different from the fishermen leaving their fishing nets to go follow him later on?) Leaving everything they knew and everything important
to follow after the call of their hearts.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at
what the shepherd said to them.
(Remember the shepherds were not necessarily anyone the people would listen to and yet they were amazed when they heard them share the story)
What they had to share was important and the people listened because it was life changing for them. I imagine they were excited and could not contain those emotions. What a difference that would be to see a shepherd who was once serious and task oriented talking about why they left their sheep and how come they did and why they had to go in such a hurry.
Their faces would show the ‘knowing.’
In the midst of the nativity story God revealed to them
the least suspecting
the least logical.
The shepherds, a rough and tough group of men tending their flocks
in the dark of the night just like any other night.
Only this night was to be different.
If God can reveal himself to them
do you suppose he can do that to us too?
Would we leave our jobs or agenda’s to follow in a new direction?
So much to think about and so much to ask of ourselves.
The nativity story was miraculous and the miracle’s were everywhere.
Isn’t it awesome that God uses normal every day people
to share a story for everyone?
