Free Grace Women

“Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”  Luke 2:8 NKJV

It was a quiet, normal night in the open fields around Bethlehem. A few ordinary, brawny shepherds watched the pasture, scanning for predators and yawning from boredom. These men were not kings or priests, but simple shepherds. On that night, they became the bearers of a beautiful message of peace and joy from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The angel could have delivered this message to someone more important in Hebrew society. He could have appeared to the High Priest, King Herod, or a host of rich and powerful men. Instead, good tidings were given to a group of smelly sheep protectors.  

“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.”  Luke 2:9 NKJV

Imagine the shock and awe that they must have experienced. The angel stood before them and the glory of God surrounded them. What an experience!  

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11 NKJV

“Born to you!” The Savior was born to all people in the city of Bethlehem which was home to David, the shepherd and king.  Perhaps the shepherds remembered the words of Micah that prophesied that Messiah would come from Bethlehem.  

“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:12 NKJV

A manger? Why would the great Messiah, Savior of Israel, be lying in a manger? What a lowly birth for such a great gift from God! 

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  Luke 2:13-14 NKJV

What a sight! A heavenly host praising God for His marvelous works! And what a message!  God had been so silent for hundreds of years. Israel had experienced political upheaval and difficulty. And suddenly, a message delivered from heaven of peace and goodwill to all men. God had not forgotten His people. He had sent the long-awaited Messiah.

“So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’   And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:15-16 NKJV

The shepherds believed the heavenly message. They did not hesitate to run and see this incredible thing that had been told to them.  

“Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”  Luke 2:17-18 NKJV

The excitement of these sheep watchers could not be contained. They spread to everyone they could find the good tidings of this tiny Baby, Who had come to save us all.  “We have seen Him! The angels told us, and we have seen our Messiah wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger! He is finally here!”

“Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”  Luke 2:20 NKJV

These were no longer ordinary men. The God of David had chosen them to bear the message of peace and goodwill. The angels had sent them to gaze upon this wonder, this newborn baby, sent to save. These shepherds had looked into the eyes of the Great Shepherd Who would lay down His life for His sheep.  

The Word of God has come to us and we also have the opportunity to share the good news to the world. Regardless of your background, your history, or your profession, you can give the message of peace on earth and goodwill to all men. Make widely known what you have been told in the Word. Glorify and praise God for all the things you have heard and seen.

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