Angelic Visitation 4

Shepherds receive the good news

Our advent messages this year have been on angelic revelations. The first was the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah. The second was Gabriel appearing to Mary. The third was an angel appearing to Joseph in a dream. today we are going to consider the Angel visitation to shepherds watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem.

Let us consider the shepherds.

Some accounts of Shepherds state that they were considered to be one of the lowest levels of occupation. Often young boys or older men who had not married. A shepherd would stay out in the fields with his flock, when he did come to town he would be dirty from his work and he would have smelled, well, like a sheep.

Read David Jeremiah’s story of the shepherd.

Even though it was a low class job. It is interesting how many of the Biblical characters were shepherds at some time in their life, Moses, Jacob and King David for example. A shepherd would have learned a lot about leadership and patience. He would always put his sheep first in any situation.

An interesting fact about the shepherds around Bethlehem is that the lambs that were raised for sacrifices in the temple were raised here. sacrificial lambs had to be perfect, blemish free. In all likely hood these sheep would have been of the best blood lines. Ones that would have grown into well developed specimens.

The shepherds might have been better trained and equipped to care for these lambs. One account stated that there was a tower, Migdal Eder, that was used as a place for the lambs to be born these lambs were wrapped in cloths similar to the swaddling clothes that infants were wrapped in so that they were protected from colder weather and they would not be injured or bruised when they were new born. They would then be placed in a stone manger until a priest would examine them and declare that they were without blemish. Only lambs born between the tower and Jerusalem were considered for sacrifices because of the distance to Jerusalem. Further travel might have been harmful to the lambs.

The number of sheep raised for sacrifices would have been huge. Josephus the Jewish historian estimated that for the passover alone over 260,500 lambs would have been needed.

When we traveled to Sarah’ graduation last week we passed a farm that had hundreds of sheep. It is hard to imagine what thousands would have looked like.

As we read the scripture for today we see that the shepherds living out in the field and that they were keeping watch at night. This would indicate that they were away from any fold or cave where they could keep their sheep over night. An angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. the glory of the Lord was reflected on Moses’ face when he came down off the mountain after being in God’s presence when he received the ten Commandments. It was so bright that the people could not look at Moses and they asked Moses to where a covering over his face. Another example of the glory of the Lord was the temple was completed. We are told that the glory of the Lord filled the whole temple. The glory that shown around the angel was so bright that it was brighter than day. The shepherds were terrified. The angel said to them, don’t be afraid. Too late they were terrified as we would be if we were visited by an angel. The angel said I bring good news. News that will cause great joy for all people. When we think of good news we think of the gospel the story of Jesus. the angel was the first to announce the birth of Jesus that will bring great joy for all people.

This is a place where theologians disagree on the interpretations from the Greek. Some say for all people others say for all who believe. The good news of Jesus’ birth is meaningless if we refuse to believe it. We have to make a decision.

The angel said where; Bethlehem, when today. Who; a Saviour, the Messiah, the Lord. I am sure that the shepherds had many questions, but were unable to fully understand what was happening.

The shepherds were given a sign that they would find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Find is the Greek word from which we get Eureka

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God; Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

A great company would indicate thousands. Now in addition to the bright lights of God’s glory we have the angels singing. The sound would have been tremendous.

When I was a youngster, my aunt Helen had an old Christmas tree ornament with a picture depicting The sky full of angels singing. It was tremendous just looking at it without having any sound, but imagining what it must have been like.

The shepherds heard the message. When the angels left, the shepherds made the decision to go to Bethlehem. No hesitation, no debate. They responded by hurrying to Bethlehem to see what the angel had told them. They found the baby and his mother just as they had been told. After they had seen him they spread the word. They were so amazed and excited, they couldn’t keep this to themselves.

The Christmas story, we have heard it. Will we receive it and believe it? Will we share it?

Christmas is not about Santa Claus, presents under a tree, parties. It is about the greatest gift of all, a Savior, born in humble circumstances, in a stable of all places. To a young virgin who was willing to be God’s hand maid, to give her womb to carry the Son of God. Joseph a man willing to be the father figure to Jesus. To protect him and nurture him.

Will you receive this gift?