Out in their fields, the shepherds must have thought that night would be just like every other night. What had been a calm and peaceful evening instantly changed the moment an angel of the Lord appeared to them. The shepherds suddenly found themselves in the middle of the Glory of the Lord that shone all around them. It was unlike anything they had ever seen or imagined. The shepherds were not just afraid, they were terrified.

The angel of the Lord saw their fear and 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.”

I can only imagine what the shepherds thought when they heard these words. But then the sky began to fill with angels praising God. At some point their fear must have turned into amazement at what they saw and heard­—it must have been absolutely spectacular to see!

After the angels disappeared, the shepherds quickly made their way to Bethlehem where they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they began spreading the word and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. They returned praising God!

I don’t think it was a coincidence that God chose these particular shepherds to reveal this tremendous moment in history—the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).  —Isaiah 7:14

God chose these shepherds to be His first eyewitnesses to the birth of our Savior. God wanted them to announce the arrival of the Messiah! God trusted that they would boldly share this Good News: Immanuel—God with us. 

God has entrusted each of us to proclaim this same message—in our neighborhoods and to all the world.

There is no greater message, no greater hope and no greater gift we can give than the Good News that will cause great joy for all people, Jesus our Savior is born!