Picture this: It’s six miles outside Jerusalem. You’re looking over the quiet fields in the moonlight, and you see it littered with patches of white — the color of purity. Each patch of white is a sheep. These sheep are much like the ones sacrificed at the temple. White, innocent lambs that would be slaughtered for the sake of the people.
Nearby was a town named Bethlehem. It was a little town, and some might even say it was insignificant. But there was a prophecy about this place. God declared through the prophet Micah that from Bethlehem would come the ruler of Israel — the coming king who would save his people.
There were other prophecies about the Messiah, the anointed one the people were waiting for. God said through the prophet Isaiah that he would be pierced for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities. He would be slaughtered for the sake of the people.
The shepherds were watching their flocks at night. It’s dark. Quiet. Just a regular night. However, in nearby Bethlehem, there was a lot of buzz. Hundreds of people had come to Bethlehem to register for Caesar’s census. You can imagine the commotion. It was probably the most exciting thing the townsfolk had ever experienced. Busy, busy, Bethlehem.
Perhaps the shepherds were chatting about the visitors. Perhaps they were glad to have a place to stay and a way to earn a living while watching their flocks.
Suddenly, something amazing happens.
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (Luke 2:9)”
The light had come out of nowhere with a brilliance these shepherds had never seen before. This was the glory of the Lord. Impressive. Phenomenal. Indescribable.
And their reaction? They were frightened. Imagine standing in the dark, and suddenly out of nowhere, a figure appears — a figure with such breathtaking, astounding glory.
Then, the angel speaks.
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)”
What a message! The Christ was born! The anointed one had arrived! And he was nearby, in Bethlehem. The angel was inviting these shepherds to go and find this baby, the Messiah.
Before the shepherds can ponder this invitation, the amazing spectacle gets much, much more amazing. The sky that was dark just a moment ago became completely lit up.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…(Luke 2:13)”
What brilliance! It was midnight, but the sky was brighter than mid-day, lit with an army of God’s heavenly beings. What an amazing moment. It was like nothing these shepherds had ever seen. And together, the bright crowd praised God. They had one message:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)
Did you catch that? The heavenly host celebrated the arrival of Jesus by announcing two things: highest glory to God and peace for those whom God favors.
This child, the Christ, was the Messiah promised by the prophets a long time ago. He would fulfill the requirements of God’s righteousness. He would be perfect and blameless. He would bring glory to God like no one on earth could.
Jesus would be killed, pierced, slaughtered for the sake of the people. And those who place their trust in him and follow him? They receive God’s favor: God is pleased with them, as the messengers announced. They receive eternal life, knowing God, being sons and daughters of God. This is the peace among those with whom he is pleased.
This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of the Savior, let’s remember what the shepherds heard that glorious night. Jesus brings glory to God. Jesus brings peace to those who follow him.