Nativity Scenes.4

The Shepherds: From Fields to Faith

Bible Passage: Lk 2:8–20, Luke 2:8–12, Luke 2:13–14, Luke 2:15–20, Psalm 23

Summary: This passage narrates the announcement of Jesus' birth to humble shepherds and their subsequent visit to see the newborn Savior.

Moses was a shepherd Ex 3:1

Jacob was a shepherd Gen 31:38-40

David was a shepherd 1 Sam 17:34-37

1. Humble Beginnings, Holy Announcement

Luke 2:8–12 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.””

Notice the humble circumstances of the shepherds, who were ordinary, lowly, and yet chosen by God to receive the first announcement of the Savior's birth.

Good Tidings - εὐαγγελίζω good news

Great Joy - μέγας χαρά great rejoicing

To All - πᾶς λαός to all peoples

2. Heaven's Proclamation of Peace

Luke 2:13–14 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!””

The angelic proclamation of peace and goodwill as a powerful declaration from heaven.

God’s good pleasure - εὐδοκία eudokia. God starts out with a declaration of grace. He is offering peace and His good pleasure to men. He is setting the stage for reconciliation and forgiveness of sins by the cross.

3. Hastening to the Holy

Luke 2:15–16 “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.”

The shepherds responded with eagerness and haste upon hearing the good news. Their immediate journey to Bethlehem demonstrates faith's call to move forward and trust God's message. This active response serves as a model for how believers ought to pursue the truth and beauty of Jesus, moving from hearing the gospel to experiencing it firsthand. The passage reminds us that faith often requires movement toward where God leads.

They responded as a group. Shepherds represent how to respond to gospel.

4. Heralds of the Good News

Luke 2:17–18 “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

This illustrates the shepherds' reaction after witnessing Jesus, as they became the first evangelists, spreading the word of what they saw. Their transformation from recipients to heralds of the gospel encourages Christians to share their encounters with Christ.

This drive to spread the news reflects the natural outcome of a genuine encounter with Jesus, where personal transformation leads to public proclamation. The well of living water bubbles out to the salvation of others.

5. Hearts Full of Praise

Luke 2:19–20 “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

Let’s explore the expressions of Mary as compared to the shepherds. Mary's quiet contemplation of all these events showed a deep conviction of the personal change and responsibility to the gospel. This focus’ on personal devotion to the message. this was just the beginning of a long road of fellowship with God.

The shepherds' return, glorifying and praising God invites us to reflect community worship as responses to God's work in our lives. As the shepherds returned changed, their actions reflect the big idea of living a life of praise. In their story, we see a model of continual worship affected by Christ's peace, linking to our everyday lives as ongoing acts of gratitude and faith.