The Shepherds: Go and See

 

When the angels had left them and gone into

heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has

happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,

and the baby, who was lying in a manger.

Luke 2:15-16

First the blinding light, then the radiant angel, then an entire legion of angels singing out their joy at the birth of the Messiah.  The light receded, the darkness returned, but the wonder and joy in the hearts of the shepherds was nigh to overflowing.  Securing their flocks, they rushed to Bethlehem to find the stable and the newborn King.

Imagine Joseph and Mary's surprise when this motley crew stumbled into their humble accommodations.  The shepherds' occupation would have been immediately obvious from the clothing they wore, but their purpose in coming to the stable was not.  I've often wondered, did Mary and Joseph hear the angels singing in the starry heavens?  Did they see the brilliance?  Or did they learn of the angel chorus from the shepherds?  Either way, it appears that Jesus' parents graciously welcomed these men, and the Bible records that after a time, they left the manger and spread the news of what they had seen throughout the countryside.

If these men had been told, prior to this event, that they would be the first preachers of the Gospel of a new-born Savior, they would have laughed – loud and long.  But God’s ways are not our ways, and His call for the use of our particular talents can come at any moment in our lives.  We, like our shepherd friends, just need to listen for the angel’s message.

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While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,

And glory shone around;

And glory shone around.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 236