They spread the word. God sent an angel to announce the birth of Jesus, the Messiah that God’s people had been waiting on for hundreds of years. God didn’t choose to reveal this exciting news to the priests or religious leaders who were familiar with the words he had spoken through the prophets. Instead, God chose some ordinary shepherds who were out in the field keeping watch over their flocks at night.
“Do not be afraid,” the angel said to them. “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The shepherds rushed off to Bethlehem to see for themselves the things the Lord had told them about through the angel. Everything was just as they had heard.
Luke recorded how this impacted not only the shepherds but those who the shepherds shared the news with, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them…. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:17-18 & 20).
I love the 2nd chapter of Luke that tells about the miraculous birth of Jesus. I can only imagine what it was like for the shepherds as the glory of God shined around them on that dark night. I can just picture them racing off to see for themselves and then finding themselves in awe that the Savior had really been born. What an honor it must have been to have received this news straight from God and to have the opportunity to visit God’s Son.
My heart is filled with joy when I read that they spread the word and that all who heard it were amazed. The shepherds didn’t keep this news to themselves; they had to share it.
I thought about those ordinary shepherds as I opened a Christmas card tonight from my friends Hary and Janee’ who are serving God in Belgium. Janee’ is just an ordinary woman who grew up in a tiny town here in the Midwest, and Hary is an ordinary guy from Syria who works part-time as a welder.
The spiritual battle rages in their Muslim community, and the government sometimes makes ministry difficult. But despite one of their partners being thrown into jail for five months this year and despite the challenges they face to simply gather to worship, they spread the word about Jesus.
They spread the word because of the things they have heard and seen. They share the Good News because they know that Jesus is the Savior and that life is found in him. They spread the word because of the impact that Jesus has made on their lives and their desire for others to know the love, joy, hope, salvation and peace that is found in him alone.
Those who experience Jesus cannot keep from sharing the ways in which he has blessed them. They spread the word just like the shepherds. Who do you know who needs to hear about the hope that comes through Jesus? Go spread the word!