Encourager - The Christmas Shepherds

December 1999

THE SHEPHERDS

(Luke 2:8 ) "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger... the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child."

It was an awesome, terrifying sight; suddenly angels arrayed in brilliant light appeared out of the darkness. Shepherds watching their sheep were so startled they began to run for their lives. The angels soon calmed their fears and announced the greatest event in all history. That night, in the city of David, a child had been born who was Christ the Lord. The promised, hoped for Savior of the world, the Messiah had arrived. Their reaction to this revelation is a lesson to all of us not only as we celebrate the Christmas season, but all year long.

THEY SOUGHT JESUS
"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,"

They left everything they were doing and went to see the young child for themselves. It couldn’t wait, now was the time. Everything else was secondary to the shepherds. Have you sought Jesus during this time of rushing and shopping and crowds and clamor? Take a moment, right now to stop and think about the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know Him as your Savior? Have you received Him into your life? "He that hath the Son hath life, He that hath not the Son hath not life" (1 John 5:12). Jesus is the way, the only way to eternal life. Sin has separated us from God; Jesus makes possible a new relationship. He came to give His life that we might have life. Jesus not only gives us life, but He gives it more abundant (John 10:10). Are you seeking to know Him in a greater and more personal way? Next -

THEY SAW JESUS
"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

The Bible tells us, "Seek and ye shall find"(Mat 7:7). The shepherds found the manger, they saw Mary and Joseph and the tiny, newborn baby, the Gift of God to a world lost in sin and hopelessness. Stop a moment and close your eyes. Think on this scene. See in your mind’s eye, the baby and the manger. Consider the love and grace of God in sending His only begotten Son into that dark, damp, dirty place. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Think of what He came to do. O how great is God’s love. What are you planning this Christmas season to help you see the Lord Jesus and His will for your life? Have you thought how important it is that we focus on Him and not the hustle and bustle that is so prevalent during this time of year? Then -

THEY SHARED JESUS WITH OTHERS
"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child."

What the shepherds saw changed their lives. They could not keep it to themselves; they had to tell others. It seems they forgot all about the sheep. They went throughout the neighborhood telling everybody about this marvelous gift. Are you sharing the good news? Jesus Christ is come; He is come to save sinners. Do you know Him? Have you seen Him as your Savior? Are you sharing Him with others? Praise God, Jesus, God Himself manifest in the flesh, was willing to give up His riches in glory to be born in a stable that we might spend eternity with Him.

Two young women eating in a restaurant were having a wonderful time. The waiter asked what they were celebrating. One of the ladies said, "A birthday". "Whose birthday?", asked the waiter. "The birthday of my two year old son", she replied. "Oh, where is he?", said the waiter. "We left him home," she said, "We can’t enjoy the celebration with him along." Unfortunately, many today are concentrating on gifts, trees, decorations, family, food, events, a man in a red suit, everything but the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s seek, see and share the real meaning of Christmas this year. God bless.