It Is Christmas: The Journey of the NativitySample

Day 6: The Shepherds – The Joy of Sharing the Good News
Reading: Luke 2:15-20

Imagine the scene: the shepherds, still dazzled by the heavenly light and with their hearts racing, look at one another. “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15). Without hesitation, they leave their sheep behind, running through fields and streets until they arrive at the designated place.

When they find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger, the reality surpasses any expectation. They see the Savior—not on a throne, but in a makeshift cradle. And in that moment, their lives are forever changed.

The shepherds were not merely spectators. Having experienced the truth of the angelic message, something shifted in their hearts. They couldn’t keep the news to themselves. “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:17).

This attitude reflects a heart touched by grace. As John Piper says: “Joy in God is so great that it naturally overflows into proclamation.” The experience of the shepherds reminds us that a true encounter with Jesus compels us to share with others.

The shepherds were not preachers or theologians but witnesses. They didn’t have answers to all the questions, but they had a story to tell. And God used their simplicity to spread the message. Like the shepherds, we don’t need to be experts to share the Gospel; we only need a heart filled with the joy of Christ.

Tim Keller emphasizes: “The Gospel is not something you keep; it’s something you proclaim, because it is, by nature, good news.” When we encounter the Savior, we cannot remain silent.

Christmas invites us to do the same: to witness God’s work in our lives and then share it with others. The shepherds’ message echoes to this day: the Savior has been born! This is the best news the world could ever hear.

Prayer:
“Lord, give me a heart like the shepherds’, full of joy and eager to share the good news of Your love. May my life overflow with Your grace and proclaim the hope I find in You. Amen.”