From Genesis to Revelation, God’s heart is revealed through the imagery of the shepherd and his flock. Most significantly, Jesus the Son of God, is represented as a lamb. How fitting that God should make this announcement to the shepherds. It was like sharing the most precious aspects of life with those who understand, know the significance, and know the backstory. The shepherds heard from heaven, experienced the glory and proclaimed it broadly.
An Angel
In the darkness, an angel stood before them. Along with the angel came the glory of the Lord. Heaven had touched down. The angel told them not to be afraid. He had a message of good news not just for them, but for all people. It was a message of great joy. The message? A Saviour has been born. How would they know? They would find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly, a “multitude of heavenly hosts” filled the sky praising God and singing.
The Baby
Then all was still. The angel had retreated to heaven, and the night grew dark once again. But the shepherds, as Luke writes, “made haste to find the baby.” Amidst the earthly smells of hay and mule, in the dimly lit stable, they beheld the Lamb of God asleep in a feeding trough.
Proclaimed
They couldn’t keep it to themselves. They spread it widely to everyone they met, and all marvelled. And the shepherds, returned, full of hope praising God for all they had seen and heard. The promise of a Saviour was being fulfilled.
The shepherds heard from heaven, experienced the glory and proclaimed it broadly.