The True Story Of Christmas Part 8 Humble Shepherds Visited By Angels Of God

Good morning everyone. 

I am glad that you joined us for our final posts about the true story of Christmas. 

Morning skies are gradually turning a peach and gold color and squirrels are fighting over the seed and nuts that we put out for them. 

Now we return to Luke's gospel to pick up the threads from his account of the birth of Christ. 

Joseph & Mary returned to Bethlehem for a census and taxation.

Luke 2:1-5 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Luke is picking up the story of Jesus' birth when there was a taxation ordered by the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus. 

Joseph and Mary made the trip from Nazareth in Galilee to Judah and the town of Bethlehem. 

Luke was a physician and he tells us that Mary was "great" with child, that is she was about ready to deliver the Messiah, the seed of the woman. 

The Christ Child was born in a stall in a crude stable for animals.

Luke 2 :6-7 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Soon after they arrived at Bethlehem the time to give birth came. We are never told why there was no room in the inn for Joseph and Mary. They had to go into a cold, primitive stable to give birth. 

This reminds us of the great humility of the Son of God being born in the flesh. (See Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:5-9). 

Christ set aside all the splendor of heaven in exchange for a crude stable with harsh conditions for a newborn. 

An Angelic Announcement fills the skies.

Luke 2:8-9 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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.

Just outside the town of Bethlehem were shepherds watching over their flocks to make sure no predators attacked them. 

Suddenly, without any warning, the angel of the Lord came and the glory of Jehovah filled the night sky. 

What did the shepherds do? They were sore afraid. That phrase means they had a sudden, intense irrational fear. They shook and quaked and were filled with terror. 

400 years of silence is broken

Why did they react in this manner? Because the last prophet Malachi had spoken 400 years before. 

Since that time there has been no word from God to the Jewish people. 400 years of silence from heaven. No wonder this was extraordinarily shocking.



Luke 2:10-12 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.


The angel immediately addressed their fears by telling them not to fear because he is bringing good news of great joy that is going to impact all humanity. 

Then, the angel of the Lord told them about the birth of Christ the Lord and gave them a sign to certify that he was speaking for God. He told them where and how they would find the baby Jesus.

Luke 2:13-16  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15  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. 16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 

What happened next was most notable. A heavenly multitude of angels appeared singing out praises to God. Their praise encompassed heaven and earth. 

From heavens view it was "Glory to God in the highest" because He was bringing all the strands of prophecy about the birth of Christ to a perfect fulfillment. 

From earth's perspective, it was "peace and good will toward men." 

Why? Because Jehovah in the flesh was born to take away the sins of the world and God is free to offer salvation to all who repent and turn to Christ in faith. 

Simple shepherds bear witness to the Great Shepherd's birth

What did the shepherds do? They all agreed that they must go and see what has come to pass and they did so with haste. 

When they arrived at the stable, they found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus exactly as the angel of the Lord had said to them. 

Matthew 2:17-20 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The shepherds became willing witnesses telling everyone they met about the birth of Messiah. 

This caused quite a stir because God had been silent for 400 years. 

They returned to their duties glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. Their lives were forever changed.

Points to Ponder....

A secular historical event of a census and taxation are used to fulfill prophecy because Joseph & Mary returned to Bethlehem.

Christ was born in very humble circumstances.

Humble shepherds received a stunning announcement as heaven's silence was broken.

God is bringing all things to pass just as He said He would.

Is your heart filling up with joy as we rediscover the power, majesty, humility and beauty of Christ's birth? 

We all have cause for great rejoicing because the babe in Bethlehem came to save us from our sins and give us eternal life by being born again. 

Bob