It was going to be long night for the shepherds. While the nearby townspeople slept, the shepherds had to stay awake and alert, to keep watch over sheep and protect them from wild beasts or thieves that could come in the darkness of the night.
Shepherding was a 24-7 job and it required one to live away from home, in the elements of the outdoors, day in; day out, so the sheep could be pastured, fed, and protected.
But this night was like none other.
Suddenly, in the darkness of the night, there was a very bright light! The shepherds froze in fear and terror, and their hearts beat rapidly in as they tried to get their bearings on what was happening. And amid the brightness, an angel appeared and spoke to them, saying
“Don’t be afraid! I have great news!” Good news?
“Yes!” the angel said, “Good news for us all!”
“Just nearby, in the town of Bethlehem, just this evening, a baby has been born, and He is the Savior for us all! He is the one we have been waiting for. And his name is Christ the Lord.”
And just to make sure the shepherds understood that this was no dream, the angel instructed them: “Go, see for yourself! You’ll find the baby in a stable –(that’s right, a stable) – where there are cows, donkeys, and sheep, and the baby is lying in a manger- (yes you heard correctly)- a feeding trough filled with hay is the makeshift crib for this beloved child. And that is where you will find him.”
And before the shepherds had a chance to process this midnight announcement, the sky was lit up with a brilliant bright light and suddenly there were multitudes of angels in the sky, singing:
“Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth, Peace, Good will toward men.” Luke 2:14
This was no delusion. The Christ child was born that very night, and the shepherds indeed found him, just as the angel described, and they were filled with hope and joy.
And this good news is for us all! For you and for me! A savior has been born!
And this is why we sing the words to an old familiar Christmas hymn, “Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king!”
I pray you experience the good news of this Christmas season and I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas!
Dr. Pamela Paul