“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” Luke 2:13-16

The Shepherds’ Response

One of the things I like to do in the weeks leading up to Christmas is look at all the characters of the Christmas story. I enjoy studying each one, and seeing what I can learn from them. There’s always something new and fresh that comes to my attention.

The last few days I’ve been thinking about the shepherds. Shepherds were kinda low down the list in society. They were simple men, usually uneducated—but they were thought to be diligent and faithful to their flock. They had a hard life, living out in the fields in all kinds of weather. But they just did their jobs.

I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like for them to have first an angel appear to them—and then a whole host of angels filling the sky and proclaiming the birth of Jesus. The Bible says they were afraid—I mean, who wouldn’t be?! But then they talked among themselves, and decided to go see this baby they were told about.

Two things stand out to me. First of all, their courage in spite of their fear. They were fearful, but they responded with courage. Our natural response to things is oftentimes fear—but then we can collect ourselves and be courageous. These simple men showed us that so clearly.

The second thing that stood out to me is their obedience. They didn’t have to go see the baby. They could have just talked among themselves about what they’d seen. Or they could have just told others about it without going themselves. But they believed what they’d been told, and they obediently went to see the baby Jesus. The Bible even says that they went with haste—they didn’t waste time in obeying.

I hope and pray that when I’m faced with something unknown and overwhelming that I will respond with courage, belief, and obedience—and respond quickly. I’m a simple person, and I love the example of the simple shepherds of the field. In spite of their simplicity, God saw them as important and included them in the Christmas story.

The Christmas decoration I want to share with you today is our nativity scene. Some years ago, our daughter and her family came to spend Christmas with us here in South Africa. Floyd, our daughter, and grandkids went Christmas shopping. They bought me this lovely nativity collection. It’s hand done, hand painted by an artist from Zimbabwe. It’s very special to me. We don’t know how many of the shepherds went to see the baby Jesus, but two of them are represented here.

I pray that whatever challenge I’m presented with, that I’ll respond as well as the shepherds did!

Heavenly Father, for the overwhelming situations ahead of us, help us to respond with trust in You, with quick obedience, and with the courage that comes from knowing that You are leading us. Amen.