Luke 2:8-11
“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.”
Most of us have watched Christmas pageants depicting shepherds with long staffs huddled near a fire. Whether that picture would be accurate or not, we know they were out there on a lonely hillside doing their job.
Shepherds would have been considered pretty low on the social scale and yet it was to these simple shepherds that the announcement of the birth of Jesus was proclaimed. There was no star to lead them to find Jesus they were simply told to go into Bethlehem and look for Him in a manger where He would be wrapped in cloths.
The words of this beloved Christmas Carol have a deep meaning. The shepherds would find Jesus when they searched for Him. It is just as true today. When we search for Him we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our heart.
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground; the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around, and glory shone around.
“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind. “Glad tidings of great joy I bring to all of humankind, to all of humankind.”
“To you, in David’s town, this day is born of David’s line a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be the sign, and this shall be the sign:”
“The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swathing bands, and in a manger laid, and in a manger laid.”
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whileshepherdswatchedtheirflocksbynight/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil