“And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appears to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.

“And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’

“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 among men with
whom He is pleased!

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’

“And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made widely known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”
– Luke 2: 8-18

We can imagine the fear and confusion the shepherds experience when the angel appears to them. They are outside the safety of the city, tending to their sheep, in the middle of the night. First an angel of the Lord appears and speaks to them; and then a multitude of angels appear, singing and worshiping God.

Luke makes a point to say the shepherds were “filled with fear,” and rightly so! The conversation among the shepherds after the angels left must have been lively. Did an angel really speak to us? Or did we dream this? What will we find in Bethlehem?

We can also imagine the hope the shepherds feel stirring deeply within their hearts. Can it be coming true, what the prophets of old described centuries ago? Has the promised Messiah come at last?

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6-7

Whatever fear or uncertainty the shepherds feel during their heavenly encounter, they choose to follow the angel’s direction and go in search of the Christ child. We can imagine the wonder and joy the shepherds feel on that happy Christmas morning, when they find Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. The scene is exactly as the angel describes.

As the shepherds observe Mary caring for the newborn Child, they witness Jesus showing us the truth about how to receive God’s Love:

Lift up your arms to the Love that is before you. Rejoice and be glad! A Love like no other has freely entered the world. All you have to do is reach for His Love. ♥️

Merry Christmas.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father.” John 1: 14