Dec. 16th. Scene one: Shepherds

Scene one: Shepherds

It is in the Gospel of Luke that we find the account telling the experience of the Shepherds. The appearance of angels, lights, music and the Glory of the Lord must have caused quite a startling experience for what would have been considered some of the "least of these. " Doing the work of a shepherd was not glamorous; in fact, the dangers far outweighed the advantages and the lonely nights spent on the hillside drove these wandering groups of men together where they could share the warmth of fire, some food and conversation.

This part of the story is like a three part play. Scene one: Shepherds down right, angels enter with lights and music…It makes for a wondrous introduction. The words that follow are filled with great and interesting news.

Luke 2:10-12 "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

I noticed something today that I have not realized before. This is the fact that this announcement was personal. This was not a broadly-cast, everyone come, headlines-in-the-paper announcement. This was given directly to this group of ordinary people--shepherds. Notice how gently the announcement came. “Do not be afraid” were the first words spoken. Think of how many times in these birth narratives the people involved are comforted with these words. Mary, Joseph, now shepherds.

However, the most important part of this are these words: “A Savior has been born to you.” It is as if the only people that mattered at that moment was this band of shepherds. All creation was looking on as this announcement was given, and it was directed to them-"born to you." The beauty of this is that Jesus still works that way. Individually, He comes to each of us with the gift of salvation on a one-on-one encounter to offer to us eternal life. That is the purpose of His coming, and that message is still calling us today.

Join with me tomorrow for scene two.