Tidings of Comfort and Joy: The Shepherds and the Angels
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. ”Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:10-14)
As we move forward with the final reflection of Tidings of Comfort and Joy, we wholeheartedly celebrate Emmanuel! God is with us! Thank you, Jesus, for coming to us as an infant to show us how to live well with you.
The angelic visits explored so far have been to proclaim the coming Savior; this week, we see the Lord send an angel to the shepherds to declare that the birth of Jesus has come to pass in Bethlehem. With the angel's proclamation, it is time for the world to hear the glad tidings of the promised Messiah. The Lord chooses the shepherds tending sheep to receive the first invitation to seek and find the newborn King.
Though a far cry from royalty, the shepherds are not a surprising choice for the Lord to make. Throughout the Old Testament, he invited shepherds to join him on many different occasions on the quest to save his people. Our ancestors Abraham, Moses, and David, to name a few, were shepherds not just of sheep but of the people of God, whom they advocated for, protected, and guided in search of the promised land.
In the visit from the angel, the shepherds see, hear, and feel the impact of God's awe-inspiring presence. This holy encounter, similar to the ones we have already explored, continues to illuminate that when humans find themselves in the presence of angels, it is a natural response to be afraid.
To soothe the shepherds' fear and trembling, the angel comforts them with the words, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
With the Lord’s desire to be in a relationship with each of his children, we cannot underestimate the importance of the words, “I am bringing you,” “to you is born,” “a sign for you,” and “you will find,” in the angel's announcement. The invitation from the angel was for the shepherds to behold Jesus as their Messiah first and then to be able to share the Good News with others around them.
When the host of angels returns to heaven, the shepherds immediately go to Bethlehem. There, they find the baby Jesus in a manger and proclaim the Good News of the Savior that the angel shared with them. All who heard were amazed, including Mary, who treasured and pondered all their words in her heart. The shepherds, full of joy, glorified and praised the Lord for what they had heard and seen.
The Creator desires to dwell with us, commune with us, and relate with us humans even in weakness and imperfections. The analogy of shepherds and sheep throughout scripture is used to showcase the faithful and trustworthy relationship of God with us.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.
So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:11, 14-16)
Just as Jesus the Messiah will lay down his life and deliver us from death, so the Good Shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep.
The journey for all of us to seek and find Christ is inward as we receive Jesus, then outward as the Spirit dwelling in us empowers us to share Jesus with the world. The Lord desires a personal relationship with his people. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and calls us, as we follow Him, to be shepherds for others around us. This invitation is evident in John 21:15-19 when he converses with his disciple Peter. Three times, Peter claims he loves the Lord. After each time Jesus says one of these three phrases, if it is true that you love me, then “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” Jesus’ last command is, “Follow me!”
How a good shepherd cares for their flock is a great example of God’s love for us and our love for God. In scripture, a good shepherd has an upright heart and can guide with a skillful hand. A good shepherd has knowledge and understanding that offers protection for anything that means to cause harm to the sheep. A good shepherd sorts out the sheep, rescues them from wherever they are scattered, and brings them back to their land to be fed and cared for. A good shepherd will gather sheep led astray and lead them back into the fold. Finally, a good shepherd calls his sheep by name, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. As sheep, may we be found by the Good Shepherd and, in turn, seek to protect, guide, and help others find their way home.
Spend a few minutes in quiet reflection:
How do you experience the Good Shepherd taking care of you?
Ask the Lord to show you an area in your life where the Good Shepherd wants you to experience trust for protection, guidance, and care.
What invitation does that Lord have for you in this New Year?
Spend some time in praise and worship as you ponder the Good News of Jesus coming into the world.
Thank you, Good Shepherd, for coming into the world and dwelling among us to protect and guide us. Help us slow down and listen to your voice so we may follow you wherever you need us to go. Thank you for being with us when we are in danger, scared, sick, and alone. The fact that you know us and search for us by name is genuinely incredible. As we hear your voice, may we help others know it too. Thank you, Jesus, for redeeming us. Amen.
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