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“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:10
It was just another dark, lonely night. The stars glittered in the sky, the sheep grazed on the grass, and the men fought off heavy eyelids. On a chilly hillside outside Bethlehem, the shepherds were just doing what shepherds do- watching over their sheep, awaiting the sun’s slow rise and the darkness to slither away into the horizon.
Suddenly, the darkness was pierced with radiant light! Luke tells us, this light was not the sun or the moon, no, this was the “glory of the Lord,” and the shepherds were terrified. These rough and tumble shepherds were as tough as their skin, they were accustomed to protecting their flock at all costs. They fought off lions, bears, and even thieves. Fear had no place in the life of a shepherd, in fact, shepherds who were afraid need not apply. I would imagine, the shepherds often argued about who was the toughest in the fields . . .
“Remember the night, the lion jumped on Larry the lamb, you know, the lamb with the limp?”
“Oh yea!”, said another, “You really walloped him with your staff!.”
Another shepherd might say, “Remember the bear that came into camp? I nailed him right in the ribs with a stone.” He never came back again!
Still another Shepherd …. “Yea, but I haven’t washed my tunic in over a year!”
“WE KNOW!” said the others.
The shepherds were tough, but that incredible night, when God’s glory shone around them . . . they were terrified.
God’s presence does that. Our Lord comes to his people in powerful ways that make even the toughest men shake with fear. Those stinky shepherds would have probably died of fear until they heard the angel's command and promise.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” -Luke 2:10-12
Now comforted and confident, those rugged men became like little boys. With smiles on their faces and a promise in their heart, they “hurried off” to Bethlehem to see what the Lord told them about. Oh to see them together, giggling with excitement and running. I would guess they raced - (men are men). Huffing and puffing, and wiping sweat from their eyebrows, they saw someone remarkable. They indeed saw what was promised to them, and they were no longer filled with fear, no, they were filled with uncontainable great joy! In Christ, you have Wonderful Joy too!
Saturday night, hurry to church, and we will rejoice together over Jesus, the promised Messiah who came not only for the shepherds but for you. I can’t wait!
It really is A Wonderful Life … in Christ.
Pastor Austin
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