Did you ever see something so exciting you couldn’t wait to tell someone about it? The shepherds’ story was remarkably astonishing to all who heard it. They not only saw angels, but they saw the Lord as well.
All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, Luke 2:18
A host of angelic beings filled the sky . They praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
There was only one thing the shepherds could do after the angels returned to heaven, so they did it.
The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Luke 2:15
Why do you suppose the first people God chose to tell were shepherds. In society where did they fit in? They were almost considered the lowest of the low. Others didn’t want to trust or believe them.
I wonder how Joseph and Mary viewed their first visitors. Keep in mind these new parents may have spent the night alone up until this point. Here is what verse 19 says.
Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:19
When Gabriel spoke to Mary some nine months earlier here is what he said. “The baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” Maybe that thought was running through her mind.
Jesus Came for Every One
Let’s look at the big picture of what was happening here. What if the birth of Jesus occurred in a mansion or castle? Some may have considered as the God of the elite.
These folks may have wanted to protect Him from the lower class. But the shepherds saw him, they were able to go directly to the people and share their story.
After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, Luke 2:17-18
If we need to classify where people fit, then know this. God didn’t send His Son only for the lower class. The angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Yes, all people! Listen to what Jesus told Nicodemus.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
He said the world and everyone. When we read the entire Christmas story, the Bible recorded only two visits to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The first were the shepherds. The other one was the wise men.
The Shepherds’ Story is Still Remarkably Astonishing
We’ll talk more about the wise men another time. But do you realize when those men started back for home, Mary and Joseph were rich? Which also made that part of the story remarkable as well.
You see, they had to move out of town immediately, that night. Those gifts they received helped them sustain life for the next two years in Egypt.
The story of Jesus is still remarkably astonishing. No matter where you are on the social ladder, Jesus loves you. And He will supply all of your needs, yes, every one of them.
What the shepherds saw and described is a drop in the bucket as to what is to come. Read this related post called, What Has God Prepared For Those Who Love Him?
Lord, we are your sons and daughters. Just like you cared for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, you care for us as well.
The Christmas Story continues in Luke 2.
Read the Entire Christmas Story
- Live A Lifetime Of Faith The Same Way Mary Did
- Live A Unique Life Of Obedience To The Lord
- The New Baby Jesus was Born In A Stable
- Angels Announced Good News Of Great Joy To The World
- The Shepherds’ Story Was Remarkably Astonishing
- How Can A Star Pinpoint Something On The Earth?
- What Valuable Gift Will You Offer To The Lord?
Check out these other great stories in the Bible.
- The Shepherds’ Story Was Remarkably Astonishing
- The Story Of Lazarus Resulted In An Unusual Plot
- The Story Of Gideon And The Angel
- The Story Of Daniel In The Lion’s Den
- The Story Of Hannah In The Bible
- The King David And Absalom Story
- Story Of The Burning Bush In The Bible
- The Story Of Stephen In The Bible
- The Story Of Paul Preaching In Athens
- The Story Of The Paralyzed Man And Jesus
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