8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” ~ Luke 2:8-14
The birth of Jesus Christ shook up heaven and earth. In v.8, we see the "shepherds living out in the fields nearby." These shepherds were on the lower rung of the socio-economic ladder in their world. On the other hand, in v.13, "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel." These angels were poised to announce that God was doing a new thing in the world of men.
These shepherds, according to v.8 were keeping watch over their sheep "at night." So much happens in our lives at night. Sometimes it is good, but I'd venture to say that most of the time, it is scary. The old song went, "Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk with you again..." As Simon and Garfunkel clearly point out, the darkness, used by the Lord, teaches us much. The most important lesson delivered from this absence of light is the startling message that we desperately need God.
We’ve all been where these shepherds were that night. Each of us knows what it’s like to search the night for a light, standing outside of the emergency room or on the manicured grass of a cemetery. We’ve asked our questions. We’ve wondered why God does what He does. But, when we give Him time, His purposes come to fruition and we are dumbfounded!
In v.9, these shepherds were alerted concerning the birth of the Savior. An angel and the visible presence of God appeared to these seemingly insignificant tenders of the sheep. God appeared to these shepherds in order to lead them to the His lamb who would take away the sin of the world. The Christian life is a journey whereby God wants to train us to be led by His Spirit. And, the process is more important than the result.
The angel, in v.10, reassures the shepherds and conveys to them the “good news” of the birth of Christ, the Messiah. The Good News, or Gospel, in this case concerns the birth not of a Roman king but the birth of a Jewish king, the true “Savior” and “Lord.”
Then they obeyed, God led them to the Savior of the world. Can He do the same for and through us? The Gospel message was completed after He was crucified, resurrected, and enthroned in heaven. The birth of this king was and is “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
When Mary wrapped her son in swaddling cloths and placed him in a feeding trough, she didn’t know that she was doing so as a sign so that shepherds could identify him as the Christ, but that’s exactly what she was doing. The shepherds were conditioned to look for the Savior and they found Him in His low estate. Perhaps this is why it was shepherds, people who had a low enough view to see the Savior.
In v.13, we read, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God.” The birth of the Son of God means “peace” in our daily and eternal existence. It is not automatic, we must respond to the message of salvation with accepting faith. God's peace yields human wholeness in our relationship with Him and will render a certain measure of health in our relationships with others.
Much of life consists of routine. In this context, God has been known to show up in our largely darkened lives with brilliant light. The fact is, He is far more involved than you and I are aware of at any given moment, just like the shepherds in the middle of their field. God shows up all the time through the good and bad, and through it all, He shows us that He can be trusted, disturbing decrees and developments notwithstanding.
If the worst fear, the fear of death, has been taken away through the death and resurrection of Christ, then surely God does not want us to fear the lesser things in life: job insecurity, COVID-19, failing a test in school, being rejected by our friends. The greatest message ever is "fear not!" God is ruling the world, and this will result in the greatest good for us, His children.
In v.14, we read, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." There is a somber note sounded in the angels' praise: "Peace among men with whom he is pleased." Without faith it is impossible to please God. Not all know His peace. "This is the judgment," the Lord Jesus said, "that the light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil."
It was only to his disciples that Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God's peace is faith in the God of the Bible and His promises. And when we do trust God's promises, we will KNOW His joy, peace and love. It is at this point that God is glorified.
Finally, believe, rest on His promises: "Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will help you; I will strengthen you; I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness . . . Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall wear . . . Cast all your anxieties on God because he cares for you . . . The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?"
