It was to the Shepherds that the heavenly host appeared. They announced the arrival of the baby Jesus. I know scripture refers to us as sheep and that Jesus is our Shepherd. That His birth would be announced to shepherds first, makes sense. But, these were not ordinary shepherds. The Mishnah is a collection of the oral tradition of Jewish law and forms the first part of the Talmud.
Tradition states that these shepherds tended their flock from the Migal Eder (Tower of the Flock) twelve months a year. This place was on the road to Jerusalem but very close to Bethlehem. Their flock was not composed of ordinary sheep but sheep set aside for temple sacrifice and thus the need to be tended year round. Micah wrote about a future event coming to “the Tower of the Flock.”
Micah 4:8
8 And you, O tower of the flock, The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, To you shall it come, Even the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. (NKJV)
Scripture says they were there in the night tending their flocks when an angel suddenly appears to them. Can you imagine them there in total darkness with only the light of the moon and stars and suddenly a light with the brilliance never before seen, showers over you? An angel speaks a message like the one they received? Scripture goes on to say that this angel was joined by a multitude of the heavenly host. A heavenly host would no doubt be an army of angels. A stunning sight coming out of the darkness. That probably caused a bit of anxiety and fear at first. My first human reaction would have been to run!
It is reasonable to think some shepherds stayed with the flock. We know what happens to sheep left without a shepherd. We also know that some left their flock to go find this babe in swaddling cloth. Do you suppose they completely understood as they knelt by that babe, that they were looking upon the lamb who would be sacrificed for the sins of the world? That their shepherd eyes were looking at “The Shepherd?” This little one was going to grow to manhood and shed His blood once and for all? He would become the Shepherd of the flock of God. I suspect that their hearts were pounding as perhaps they realized that this is the Messiah. The one whose coming had been foretold for centuries.
Scripture says they went from there making widely known what was said to them regarding this event.
Thought For Today:
Isn’t it wonderful how God works everything out so perfectly? He came to earth and revealed himself to shepherds tending the flock prepared for sacrifice throughout the year. Not just any flock…sacrificial sheep. One day the need for multiple sacrifices would be satisfied by this babe in swaddling cloth. Studying this has given me new thoughts about these shepherds, tending their sheep. There was more going on here than paying homage to a babe in a manager. We each have had experiences with Jesus. We have had times of divine intervention in our lives, answered prayers. We should do as these good shepherds. We should be making known the good news from our own lives. Especially, to the young ones coming behind us. This Christmas, tell them about the One whose birth we celebrate. How He came to save the world. All they must do is believe… that he came, lived, died and rose again…for them.
Scripture For Today:
Luke 2:8-20. ( I encourage you to read the whole beautiful passage)
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (NKJV)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! We love this season of celebration. It takes us from the worries of grown up life back to the awe of a child peering into the stable and the wonder of the baby Jesus. The lowly shepherds coming to seek the one who would save the world. Father, we pray that we hold onto that wonder. Let it be renewed in us daily. Enable us to tell of Your wonderful love and grace theough Jesus. Thank You for the gift of all gifts…Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. Forgive us of our sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.