The scene was set for the most remarkable night in all of history. So what were the shepherds doing that made them so remarkable? They were doing what they were supposed to be doing: keeping watch over their flocks at night.
I think the shepherds can teach us a lot about doing the everyday tasks with joy. Their obedience and steadfastness can inspire us to keep on keeping on. They were certainly transformed by their experience there in the field outside Bethlehem.
Read it with fresh eyes and experience the wonder of what they must have felt when the angels appeared! (Luke 2:4-20)
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
The next time you feel bored or tired or like your life could use a little more excitement, remember that God may be at work in a nearby field and He may send for you to come and witness a miracle! You may not see a host of heavenly angels, but when His call comes, will you hurry to obey Him? When you see Jesus, will you spread the word concerning what you know about Him? If you respond like the shepherds did, you will be amazed.
At Hope Women’s Centers, we don’t hear from the angel choirs every day – but we do witness miracles frequently as women who thought abortion was their only choice have a change of heart and choose to trust God and give life to their children!