It’s a still night in the field. The stars shine upon the earth as the sun would during the day and light up the grass a darker tone of its original hue. The rolling hills and terrain encapsulate the scene of the shepherd boys watching their sheep. The sheep wander not too far from sight as the young shepherds prepared for morn again. As the boys talk amongst themselves, a great light appears in front of them. The first thing they feel is fear, but then an angel of the Lord proclaims, “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). The boys receive this news with great joy, bounding up the hills to the town of Bethlehem to see this mere babe in a manger.
Read: Luke 2:8-20
I assume we all have heard the Christmas carol “Silent Night”, but when we carefully look at the lyrics, they express the scene in which the angel came to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. I wonder what the shepherds in the field nearby experienced.
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Here’s a little history lesson. I know you didn’t sign up to read about that, but please stay with me.
When we see a nativity scene, whether in our homes or in stores, among the characters there is the shepherds. We often see these shepherds portrayed as older men with long beards. However, in biblical times, taking care of a flock of sheep was often a family business. With that, a shepherd would often be the youngest boys, or even girls, in the family. Older members in the family were needed for harder or heavy-lifting jobs. So, that left the “weak” or “small” to shepherd the sheep.
We see the support of the youngest in the family being the shepherds in the story of David as well (1 Samuel 16:11). David, being the youngest of eight sons, became the family shepherd. His experiences as a shepherd were often used to illustrate his beautiful psalms.
Shepherds were socially considered the lowliest of people. Dirty, smelly, and probably not a highly educated bunch, but they were still chosen by the Heavenly Father to go see His Son. These young children sitting out in a field with a bunch of animals were given such a great joy that night.
Joy is defined as a state of happiness or felicity. Naturally, some people are just full of joy. You can see it when they walk in the room, and others it takes a while to show their joy. We are actually born with the desire for joy woven into us. Joy is so much more than a feeling. Feelings are fleeting, but joy is not dependent on circumstances or chance. We can experience joy even during the times of hardship and hurt. C.S. Lewis found in his autobiography, Surprised by Joy, that the greatest and most enduring joy comes from knowing God through Jesus Christ and being a part of His joyful kingdom.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of a young teenager or preteen getting excited about something, quiet isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. There's always that moment when they just can't hold back their excitement.
I imagine these children running into town, bounding through the streets and people, and not caring about what others think of them (remember they are not liked individuals). Sprinting through town just to reach their Savior. However, I pause. I have to ask the question: Do we come to Jesus with the hurry and haste that the shepherds did? Do we bound to Him with the anticipation to see His face as eagerly as the shepherds did?
Imagine, when they reached the place in which Jesus rests, they paused at the door, opened it, and saw the Savior of the World asleep in a manger. How small and meek the babe sleeps. Mary welcomed them with a bright smile; Joseph clasped all of them on the shoulders and ushered them to see the King. What a joy!
God chose some of the lowliest of people to receive the good news. This is because Jesus Christ didn’t come just to save the strong, healthy, and highly praised. He came to save everyone, even the lowly. Even the forgotten. Even the young, the old, the sick, and the poor. The good news of Jesus is available for everyone, and Jesus proved that on the cross when He died for your sin and mine. Again, I say, what a joy!
“The good news of great joy changed the course of every silent night to come.”
- Alicia Bruxvoort
Cover photo by Shay Johnson
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