December 13
“Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11 (NASB)
When you hear “Christmas,” what word comes to mind? Jesus? Mary? Joseph? Bethlehem? Presents? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that the word was not “shepherds.”
On the night of Jesus’s birth, the Lord sent an angel to tell shepherds the amazing news: “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” (Luke 2:10–11).
God choosing shepherds for this life-changing news was significant in several ways.
First, in Jesus’s day, the role of a shepherd was not at the top of the job-wanted list.
A shepherd was viewed as a simple, lowly, and unlearned man.
Years ago, there was a country song entitled, “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” In Jesus’s day the song could have been, “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Shepherds.” The fact that God chose shepherds to be the first to hear of Jesus’s birth makes a huge statement. The baby in the manger came for all people but especially for those who are lowly and brokenhearted (4:18).
Jesus came for us.
Second, the shepherds ran to the baby in the manger.
The text says, “The shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem.’…They came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger” (2:15–16). The shepherds took off running. They threw down their shepherding tools, left their flock, and ran as fast as they could to find the Christ child. Upon arriving they were captivated with the child who was lying in the manger. Why? This baby was their Messiah, Savior! This baby was the Lamb of God! They knew their lives would never be the same.
Run as fast as you can to Jesus. Become captivated with Jesus. You will never be the same!
Third, the shepherds couldn’t keep quiet about the birth of Jesus.
“After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.” (2:17). The first messengers to share about the birth of Jesus were shepherds. And they told everyone!
This Christmas we, too, can spread the word about the greatest Present ever:
the Savior of the world.
Just like the shepherds, we are chosen. Run to Jesus. Be captivated by Him. Tell everyone!