And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “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. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.”
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made know abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. Luke 2:8-17.
The traditional nativity scene: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus lying in a manger, a cow, a donkey, some sheep, a shepherd or two, three kings with gifts and camels. Add a star or an angel on top of the stable and we have the Christmas story all wrapped up in a neat little package…or is it?
The shepherds received a visit from the angels and left immediately to find the baby in a manger. They went in search of a Savior, Christ the Lord, the long awaited Messiah.
Jesus was born in a stable, not because there was no room at the inn or because of their lack of money…though those circumstances paved the way for him to be born in a stable. Jesus came as the Lamb of God and where else would a lamb be born, but among the animals.
Who were the first to inspect a lamb and make sure it made a sufficient sacrifice? The shepherds, God leaves nothing to chance. The angels appeared to the shepherds who were then the first to be told about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. They came. They saw him and then went all over the countryside telling everyone what they had heard and seen.
No kings appeared at the stable. No star stood over the young family staying there. Jesus came first and foremost as the sacrificial lamb, to give his life for the sins of all people.
On that first night, the Lord allowed the shepherds to be witnesses, and they told everyone they met about this Savior who had come. I wonder how many who heard their story went to also find the baby.
What makes Jesus our Savior? He became our substitute sacrifice on the cross, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He came to make reconciliation between God and man, bringing us the peace and goodwill foretold by the angels.
TRICIA LATHROP 