Luke 2:8-20 (NIV) - “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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.’

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. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

It’s amazing that God would first reveal the Good News of Jesus to the rough, rowdy and lowly shepherds. Why them? There is so much imagery wrapped up in this event that captures so much of God’s heart for us. The imagery of who we are (sheep that go astray), who we are to become (shepherds/fathers/mothers), and how our Savior would save us (sacrificial lamb) all draw us back into the heart of God for His people. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6 NIV). Christmas speaks deeply of the amazing way God has come to save us, to bear our sin, to care for us, to be our Good Shepherd for all eternity. Glory to God in highest heaven!

Today let’s worship to Matt Redman’s song, “Glory Hallelujah” and thank God for His incredible love and salvation for us. Our Good Shepherd came to us, Emmanuel. For we were once lost, but now He has found us and saved us…”Glory Hallelujah!” Let’s also pray for our upcoming Agape Conference asking the Lord to ‘come’ and reveal His heart to us again.

Glory Hallelujah (Matt Redman): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om9ZtohxZV4