Finding Purpose, Hope and Joy Through Jesus’ BirthIsampula

Day 5 – The Shepherds’ Purpose

Are you a parent? If so, try to remember the first person you told about the birth of your child. Most people tell those closest to them, maybe your parents or your best friends. Our baby has been born! What good news! 

Our passage for today shares those people God chose to hear His good news. He didn’t choose to tell the Jewish religious leaders. Instead, He proclaimed the birth of His Son to ordinary people—the shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields nearby Bethlehem. 

Luke tells us that an angel of the Lord appeared to these shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Like any of us would be, they were terrified! The angel said, “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.”

But it didn’t stop there. A great company of angels appeared and started to praise God, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The shepherds didn’t waste time. They set out for the city of David and found Jesus. The shepherds became Jesus' first missionaries! They began to spread the message of Jesus’ birth. They weren’t the traditional heralds of news, they weren’t the politicians of the day, or the religious leaders. Instead, God chose the shepherds to spread the His good news. Their lives had been changed and their purpose was now clear!