What the Shepherds Heard

This past Sunday in our Advent Series, you will recall, I spoke about the angel who shared the announcement of Christ’s birth. It came with great joy and celebration. The angel said, “I will bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…” (Luke 2:10). Indeed, Good News came for all the people. This is underscored by the ones to whom the announcement was delivered. Shepherds were common folk. They were just trying to make a living and seeking grazing for their sheep. These were not people of influence or affluence in Israel. Personally, it is encouraging to me that this announcement came to such ordinary people. It truly illustrates this Good News really is for everybody. Why is it for everybody? It is because everybody needs God’s love. That is at the heart of what the birth of Christ is all about.

Could we say the shepherds deserved such an announcement? No! Yet God reserved for them such an announcement. God did this out of love. He interrupted an ordinary evening with an extraordinary visitation.

By the way, it is in the routines of life where God is likely to speak to you and me and show us His love. Moreover, sometimes it comes when you realize that you are the least deserving of it…

You may feel unworthy of this gift, as did those shepherds on that Galilean hillside. You may have wandered far away but I have Good News---God Loves You! He showed us His love with Christ’s birth and then His death. The Christ who arose from the grave gave us this promise, “I am the resurrection, and the life: He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). Believe in Jesus and you will live! This is Good News of Great joy!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron