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While they faithfully looked after their sheep at night in the fields outside of Bethlehem, suddenly “the glory of the Lord shone around them,” and an angel proclaimed in their ears a message of good tidings for all.

What the Shepherds Heard Luke 2:8-14

“Do not be afraid,” said the angel, expressing Heaven’s desire. Sin has produced fear in man’s heart, but this message is intended to dispel it.

“I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” What a contrast with earth’s news! Heaven’s message—the Gospel—is truly “good news,” and the reception of it brings joy to all!

“To you” introduces a personal appeal. “Is born … this day in the city of David,” tells a specific and definite fact. “A Savior” reveals the necessity of the Gift. “Who is Christ the Lord” shows how wondrous in grace and majesty is the Person!

Then a sign was given to them, that they should find this glorious Savior “wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, all was confirmed to them by a multitude of the Heavenly host breaking forth in chorus: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!.”

What the Shepherds Did Luke 2:15-20

What they heard stirred them to an immediate decision. They said, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” They could not be neutral about the matter; they dared not be indifferent concerning it. Faith in the message led them to instant action.

“They came with haste.” The glory of the revelation from Heaven had gripped their hearts. Faith’s acceptance of the message compelled them to go to Bethlehem with urgency. Such faith was rewarded, for they “found … the Babe lying in a manger.” Christ the Lord, the Subject of Heaven’s “Good Tidings”—and the Object of their search—was before them.

“They made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” Their testimony was the result of their faith. Returning to the fields to take up their responsibilities, they are now filled with a new joy, and are heard “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

Dear Reader, the message from Heaven is still being proclaimed. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). On Calvary’s cross, where He “suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18), He finished the work necessary to redeem you from sin. Now He is risen from the dead—no longer in the manger, on the Cross, or in the tomb. He lives! And …

“Now from the Glory He waits to impart
Peace to the conscience and joy to the heart;
Waits to be gracious, to pardon and heal
All who their sin and their wretchedness feel.”

Will you believe the message as the Shepherds did? Will you now come to the Savior through repentance and faith and be eternally blessed? Repentance is turning from your sins and all efforts to save yourself, realizing that you are on a path that leads you away from God. Faith is putting your trust in Jesus Christ and the work He accomplished on the cross as all that is necessary for your salvation. Jesus says, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37).

“Thousands have fled to His spear-pierced side,
Welcomed they all have been—none are denied;
Weary and laden, they all have been blessed;
Joyfully now in the Savior they rest.”

—D.T.J.

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