Luke 2:8-11 “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. (NASB)
In Luke’s gospel he recounts the Christmas story and immediately following the birth of Jesus in the narrative he shares the announcement of His birth. There are several interesting aspects of that announcement to consider.
First, notice the audience of the announcement. The passage says there were some shepherds out doing their job at night watching over their flock. It is this group of shepherds to whom the Lord directs the announcement. Why these guys? Although herding sheep was and is an honorable profession this was not the upper crust of society. God chose a lowly group of shepherds out in the country to first announce the birth of the Messiah. I think the significance is great; God’s deliverer was sent for “All” men not just a slice of the important aristocracy or religious leadership of the day. That is still true, position bears no influence on His call to believe.
Second, notice the way the announcement is made. God sends one of his messengers, “An angel of the Lord” to share this revelation. And this angelic display wasn’t like the Clarence figure from “It’s a Good Life”. This angel appeared in full splendor, “And the glory of the Lord shone around them”. It was such a display that it scared the Bejeebers out of them. The angel had to calm them down saying, “Do not be afraid”.
Finally, comes the meat of the message. The angel proclaims the birth of Jesus saying, “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. The message to these lowly shepherds is that it is “Good news”. Many times in the history of divine revelation the news was not good, many times the news was of judgment against a stubborn and stiff necked people. This news though is positive. The message is also said to be one of “Great joy”. Not only is this a positive thing but the result is going to produce much joy. Looking back we can clearly say it is true. It is a very joyful thing to realize that Jesus came that night to the earth with his ministry and ultimate sacrifice in mind. His coming is a source indeed of great joy for many many people. The reason for that great joy is also revealed. The angel says this baby Jesus is “Born for you” and is a “Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.
Obviously the story didn’t stop there. Scripture says they went immediately into town to find Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus just as the angel had said. Once there they shared all that had been told to them. To what degree others paid attention to this lot of lowly shepherds we do not know but one response is recorded. “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
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