The Shepherds Visit

Shepherds were in the field tending their sheep

Shepherds were in the field tending their sheep

Luke 2:8 (ASV)
And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

Shepherds stayed out in the fields tending to the flocks all year long.  This could be a very mundane job at times one would think.

Luke 2:9-11 (ASV)
  And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.   And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:  for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Angels appeared with the news of the Saviors birth

Angels appeared with the news of the Saviors birth

Imagine guarding the sheep, maybe talking among yourselves, when out of nowhere a host of angels appear.   Would you be afraid?

We are told that the shepherds were afraid and the angels told them, “do not be afraid.”

Luke 2:12-14 (ASV)
  And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.
  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
  Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

The angels tell the shepherds where to find the child and what to look for.  Imagine how beautiful that scene must have been with the host of angels praising God.   We like to think that they were singing and they could have been, but we don’t know for sure.  We are told they were “saying” so they could be speaking, singing or both.   But they were giving praise to God.

Luke 2:15-16 (ASV)

  And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherd

The shepherds found Mary, Joseph and the baby in the manger

The shepherds found Mary, Joseph and the baby in the manger

s said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

The shepherds knew that they had to see this sight that had been told to them by the angels.  This is a night these men never forgot.  They probably recounted the tales to their friends and family numerous times over the years.

Mary and Joseph are in the stable {barn} and have baby Jesus lying in a manger.  This was nothing more than the feeding trough for the animals.   Most likely it had been cleaned out and straw placed in the manger to make the baby more comfortable.

Maybe they are resting, when the shepherds appeared at the entrance way.

The shepherds could not contain the good news. Mary pondered all of these things in her heart.

The shepherds could not contain the good news. Mary pondered all of these things in her heart.

Luke 2:17-18 (ASV)
  And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.   And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.

The shepherds told Mary and Joseph about their heavenly visits.  Having had such visits themselves we know that they believed these men.  However, they did not keep quiet about what they’d seen.  They told everyone about this sight.

Luke 2:19-20 (ASV)
 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.   And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

The shepherds glorified and praised God.  They may have had a very different faith walk after this night from what they had before.

All of this was very special to Mary.  We are told that she “pondered them in her heart.”  Imagine years later as she shared the story of Jesus birth with family, friends and disciples.  The light on her face as she relived these precious memories.

What do you ponder in your heart?

 

Photos courtesy of FreeBibleImages.org

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