Advent: December 14th
The first Christmas carol was pronounced by angels and was so spectacular it literally scared the shepherds half to death- to the point of pain. “Sore afraid” the old King James Version says. The night the angels appeared to the shepherds, is the night the Christ Child was born. God provides a massive host of angels to worship and proclaim Jesus’s coming. Can you imagine how much excitement and wonder there must have been for both parties. The terrified shepherd as they experience this unbelievable exchange, but also on the part of the angels to see this miraculous thing the Lord is doing. God’s son had taken on flesh and was present on the earth as a baby!
The fact that there were shepherds in the fields tells us a little bit about what time of year it was. Shepherds did not sleep out in the fields all year round, but they would be out in the field specifically when it is time for their sheep to have their young! A shepherd would keep watch over the flock in hopes to spot when the females were giving birth, this way they could protect the pair and keep predators at bay.
While the occupation of shepherd or shepherdess is seen many times in Israel’s history, Moses, David, Racheal, and Zipporah to name a few, it was considered to be at the very bottom of the social ladder. Kind of like the sanitation workers of today, being a shepherd was seen as a dirty and smelly job. Shepherds were often seen as unclean and considered to be outcasts in many ways. So for God to go to those who were considered the least of all Israel and announce to them FIRST the arrival of His son is amazing and beautiful. They, in their lowly state, are invited to come and see the child on the very night of his birth,…not kings or princes, religious leaders, or the wealthy….shepherds.
Isn’t it wonderful that God’s invitation to know Him still goes out today to everyone who will listen, despite social standing, possessions, or rank. Friend, no matter who you are, you are loved.
Luke 2:10b-12 “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
