Receive God’s Message

KEY VERSE: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” —Luke 2:20

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8-20

WHEN THE ROMAN emperor, Caesar Augustus decreed that all citizens of the empire be registered for a census, each one was to do so in his own town. Joseph, a direct descendent of David, went with Mary to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be enrolled. “So it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”—Luke 2:6,7

At that time there were shepherds in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night, when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them. They were terror stricken, but the angel said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”—vs. 10,11

With the angel was a great company of “the heavenly host praising God” (vs. 13) in honor of the newborn Prince of Peace. After the angels left them, the shepherds in one accord hurried to Bethlehem to see what had happened, as the Lord had told them.—vs. 15

When they arrived, they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. After they saw and worshiped Jesus, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this miracle child. Surely this good news could not be kept to themselves—all the shepherds felt it must be shared with others. All who heard it, were amazed at what the shepherds said. We, too, experience this same urge to tell others of God’s plan when it is revealed to us. It is not just to be treasured up in our own hearts.

The Prophet Isaiah said, pointing to the Messiah, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Then he adds, that the throne of David in Messiah’s kingdom shall be established “with judgment and with justice … for ever.”—Isa. 9:6,7

Mary remembered all these things—all that had happened and all that was said respecting her child—and she thought deeply about them. She remembered what the angel had said to her, what had happened to Elizabeth, and to the shepherds, and all the extraordinary circumstances which had attended the birth of her son. Surely she often wondered what these things might indicate respecting her child.

Finally, the shepherds returned to their fields, “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20) for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel told them. It is noteworthy that none of the noble, mighty, or rich were told of Messiah’s birth. Rather, God revealed this great event only to the poor.

At this Christmas season, much of the world celebrates the good news of Jesus’ birth, even though we know from other scriptures that it occurred in early October. Truly, God’s ways are higher than our ways, and the message the shepherds heard is one of “great joy … to all people.”—Luke 2:10

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