14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on Earth! Gloria in excelsis Deo! These words are still sung to this day. But no one was awed and inspired by this song more than those shepherds in the field. Shepherds served an important service, they were in charge of making sure that sheep didn’t wander off, if they did, they were in charge of returning them and they also made sure predators would not attack. Shepherds were very important. But they weren’t that revered for that matter either. It was a common job for a very common person.
So one can imagine as these men were watching their sheep, keeping an eye out for anything out of place, what a shock it must have been for an angel to appear to them that night. Even stranger, the angel told them to stop what they were doing and go and find Jesus who had just been born. If that weren’t alarming enough more angels appeared, a great company we are told and began praising God. I imagine anyone would do as told in such an amazing, if not somewhat intimidating sight. And they did it, and when they found things as they were told, much like Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah of our past lessons, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were jubilant, their excitement could not be contained.
They returned back to their fields, the whole while glorifying and praising God. The Bible doesn’t give us specifics but we know they told whoever would listen. Perhaps they drove people from their slumber. Perhaps they stopped by the workplace of some other midnight service. Or maybe just to anyone they found in the streets. We also know that there were many out-of-towners. Remember Mary and Joseph wound up in a stable because it was all that was left. And what’s more is at the end of the day, they were still nothing but shepherds.
But that’s exactly what the angel stated. In Luke 2:10, the angel states, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” For all of the people; who better than a couple everymen to share this news? I don’t know who might be reading this, perhaps you work at the local fast food restaurant, perhaps you’re a doctor, perhaps you’re somewhere in the middle. But you are the best person to share the news of Jesus’ birth and ultimate death on the cross for forgiveness of sins among your peers.
The shepherds were just regular guys, in fact, they people around them probably didn’t give them much thought one way or another. But they were in with the common folk in and around Bethlehem. They could approach anyone with this fantastic news of what they saw, the fulfilled promise. We know that wise men also found their way to Jesus some time later, people who were in with kings. It’s no wonder that shepherds received a divine call to share this message, wise men and kings were far off, and they were listened to but were held in higher esteem than the average fisherman or peasant.
It’s a lot like us. We hear a message from a friend about some important thing and later in the day it’s confirmed on the news through some expert or politician. You can share the message of Christ’s birth with anyone and everyone around your life even if you’re not in a high societal position. Your words will be the Truth of God and your colleagues, neighbors and peers will listen to you. There are those modern day wise men who will tell them the same thing if they don’t take you at your word.
This message is for everyone. Do not hold it in. Join the angels in their glorious song. This Christmas, go around with the same excitement that those shepherds had even if it’s just going back to work, much like they were doing. We don’t know exactly who was inspired or came to faith because of those shepherds, but we do know that the angel gave them this message because of their ability to spread this message among the other common folk. When we declare the message, we may not know who it brings to faith, but we also have the same promise that the Holy Spirit will work faith in those who open their hearts.
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