At the time of Christ’s birth, there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. I imagine them as passionate, practiced,
and prepared protectors able to skillfully stave off any threat to their
flock. But when the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them…the were sore afraid. Sore
afraid. Not simply startled. Not just frightened. They were painfully afraid. They experienced a fear so strong that they
ached.
Then the angel delivered a beautiful message. “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.”
The angel’s words calmed them.
In moments, the shepherds’ panic was transformed to peace, and because
of one sentence, their fear became faith as they discovered the Gift.
“And this shall be a
sign unto you,” the angel continued, “Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Just picture the shepherds’ excitement
when they realized that not only was the savior finally born, but that they
would be some of His first witnesses!
With eagerness they embraced the Gift, leaving their treasured sheep and came with haste, and found Mary, and
Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
It’s there that the story usually ends. But in the next verse we learn of the
shepherds’ gift to that precious babe:
And when they had seen
it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this
child.*
The shepherds’ gift to the newborn Savior was sharing the
message that had brought them such peace in the midst of their anguish.
That same message also brings me peace when I need it most. It’s the message that makes my hopes and
dreams of eternal life with a perfected body and mind possible. It’s the message that tells me I can receive
forgiveness, and it’s the message that tells me that I will be with those whom
I love most forever. I truly believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior given to all people by our magnificent God who so loved the world.
*Luke 2:17
