December 16, 2016 (Friday)
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 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, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
The hymn, “Angels We Have Heard on High,” is actually our conversation with the shepherds who saw and heard the angels announcement of the birth of Christ. The first voice we hear is that of a shepherd who saw and heard the angels.
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strain
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.
Matthew chooses to focus on kings from the east who came to see King Jesus and
worship Him. Luke, on the other hand, tells us that the grand announcement of the Savior’s birth was given by glorious angels to humble shepherds. Israel had a caste system, and shepherds were at the bottom of the scale. In those days those who were social outcasts were branded as “sinners,” and that included the shepherds. They were accustomed to being ignored or even hated. They were most certainly not expecting a visit from angels.Perhaps this was symbolic of Jesus’ mission to earth. As an adult teacher, he told the people, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. I came to seek and to save that which was lost.” The shepherds hearing the angels could not know that the savior announced by the angels would call Himself “the good shepherd” who loves his sheep.
So, shepherds, lift up your heads. Fear not. God has chosen you to represent the world. That baby in Bethlehem came to save you. He came for everyone. God sent His Son so that “whosoever” believes in Him is saved. Rejoice, shepherds. You are the object of God’s love. Rejoice, whoever you are. He came to save you also.