Its no surprise that these priests rushed with haste (v.16) to see the kid the angel had mentioned. The shepherds administered medical care for their livestock. However, even though these shepherds were ridiculed by their fellow inhabitants, they had a fascinating past that was interwoven into the very fabric of Semitic life. Acts 2:36; 10:36; [ch. Dont be afraid! he said. Sometimes, people use a thing called artistic license. Luke 2:9 - The Shepherds and the Angels - Bible Hub Lets look at the story as written in the Bible to see what we can know about the shepherds. From them we should learn the inner freedom to put other tasks in second place however important they may be so as to make our way towards God, to allow him into our lives and into our time. As a result, he picked one of the most modest persons in the country to be present at the lowly birth of our Savior. True, but the solution entails more than simply this. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/rudall30, Danielle Bernockis an international, award-winning author, coach, and speaker who helps people embrace their value and heal their souls through the power of the love of God. Who was the angel who visited the shepherds and How many angels were Benedict XVI tells us that if it is true, it changes everything. So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. Textual criticism of the New Testament: an introduction to the critical editions of the Bible, as well as the philosophy and practice of modern textual criticism A commentary on the Greek text of the Gospel of Luke by I. Howard Marshall (Eerdmans, 1978), AbcdGreen, Joel B.,The Gospel of Luke (Eerdmans), 1997, AbcdGreen, Joel B.,The Gospel of Luke (Eerdman (1983). (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) Thirdly, shepherds also operated as physicians for the sheep. Why did God choose to let the shepherds know the good news first? A host of angels appeared to the shepherds and told them of the Messiah's birth. The shepherds were the first to be notified of Jesus birth and are an important part of the nativity story. The belief that the angels appeared first to poor, uneducated, country shepherds makes a lot of sense, but the truth is even better. The angel adds that he has a message of good news for everyone, and that this message is that God has forgiven everyone A Savior has been born to you today in the town of David; he is the Messiah, the Lord, and he has come to save you. He would bring the flock back to the fold in the evenings, counting each one as they went under the rod at the door to ensure that none had gone missing. Why Shepherds Were God's First Choice - Pursue Him International This is also quite frequent in the Western world, albeit the Magi are very rarely included in the story. They were the first evangelists; They saw Jesus long before the wise men. ESV Text Edition: 2016. Is this not where our personal story can enter into this one? And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. This will serve as a signal to you: you will come across a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. He was frequently required to watch the fold during the nighttime hours against the onslaught of wild creatures or the cunning attempts of a robber on the prowl. In essence, the task never came to a close. In those days, many people believed that sheep farmers were typically regarded as having little or no worth by their fellow human beings. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. But moreover, they entered it in a way that made it possible for the mystery of Christmas to be fulfilled in them. They are not the people that conventional wisdom would expect to be the first recipients of the good news of the Saviors arrival. The ISBN for this book is 3-438-05113-3, The erasure may be seen in the onlineCodex Sinaiticusat the top left of the relevant page, at the end of the sixth line of the first column, which is the last line of the first column. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Describe the incident when the angel visited the shepherds on the night There were times when we wished we hadnt. In the midst of it all, an angel of the Lord stood beside them, and they were scared as the glory of the Lord shined around them. This will serve as a sign for you. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests, sings a slew of angels as they praise God with the lyrics, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. The shepherds decide to follow the angels instructions and journey to Bethlehem, where they discover Mary and Joseph, as well as the child Jesus, sleeping in a manger, exactly as they had been informed. Required fields are marked *. These four books chronicle the story of the coming of the Messiah, who is also known as Jesus the Christ. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But there were some shepherds in the region lodging there and they kept the nightly watch over their flocks; Contemporary English Version That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All who heard it were taken aback by the things that the shepherds had said to them in their language. And yet in every soul, the desire for God, the capacity to encounter him, is present, whether in a hidden way or overtly." Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the angels of heaven arrived and announced the greatest news in the history of news: the birth of Jesus Christ! Any flaw . First, we should know that the Israelites had a shepherding heritage, whether they liked it or not. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. A short look at the responsibilities of Jewish priests reveals everything. Amid the silent bleakness of the shepherds watch comes the herald of joy, the voice of the angel. Healing Prayers to Heal the Body, Mind, and Soul. | Theme by SuperbThemes.Com, What A Friend We Have In Jesus - Acapella. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. While a joyful Virgin Mary stands to one side, a lovely but unusual miniature in theLa Flora HoursinNaplesshows the shepherds playing with theInfant Jesus. In Matthew, we are only given Jesus' lineage; in John . A baby wrapped in strips of cloth and resting in an open feeding trough will serve as a sign to you. No wonder these priests ran with haste (v.16) to see the baby the angel spoke about. Though the shepherds probably werent fully aware of what was happening, the angel was hand-delivering a message telling them the time for animal sacrifice was nearly over, and they were the first to know. To be truly changed by this story that is, to go beyond being mere recipients of information about the event of Jesus birth we need to be able to see ourselves within it. But we have a Healer and Provider in our flock. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. Angels appeared to these lowly people in the middle of the night to show that Jesus came into the world for everyone: the wealthy and the destitute, the educated and the ignorant, people of every race. He binds up our wounds and heals us. 5:11, [ch. It is believed that these particular lambs came from a specific herd that was set aside for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem. Because of their humble origins, the shepherds cannot help but rejoice and tell everyone they see about the birth of the Messiah. Neither are we told just how many angels there were, there could have been ten or ten thousand. Author December 09, 2022 The accounts of Jesus' birth in the gospels includes a number of references to angels, often referred to by us now as the Christmas angels. Although there wouldve been a lot of shepherds, they wouldve received a lot of upturned noses. According to popular belief, the shepherds were impoverished, smelly, and ragamuffin. These shepherds, on the other hand, were not outcasts from society. Barbara Aland (BibleGateway) (1995). As a result, at the conclusion of his first lecture, Jesus declares that the year of the Lords favor has begun to be fulfilled in the ears of all those who hear him (4:19). 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been to. Sheep can often get sunburned or run into a scraggly bush (they arent the brightest of creatures). They frequently had lambs in the fall and winter, rather than the spring, which is the time of year when most sheep in western nations give birth. What happens when you agree that God wants to announce youincluding your unwashed and disbelieving partsdivinely favored. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. We become like God if we allow ourselves to be shaped by this sign; if we ourselves learn humility and hence true greatness (Ibid). Who were these shepherds? He is no longer a distant entity, known from afar, but truly close to us. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! At the conclusion of the day, we chose to go through the night. Also, the following will serve as a sign unto you: you will discover the child lying in a manger clothed in swaddling cloths. Terraces, and silken girls delivering sherbet were all part of the summer mansions on the hills. If God had chosen a king or a religious leader, the situation wouldve played out very differently. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. In his gospel, Luke records the visitation of the angels to shepherds immediately after the birth of Jesus Christ. We know the story. Start your free trial today! 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds were the first to be notified of Jesus birth and are an important part of the nativity story. Gods sign, the sign given to the shepherds and to us, is not an astonishing miracle. The shepherds allowed themselves to be shaped by the sign of God made man in a tiny babe. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lords glory surrounded them. It needs to happen. In other words, they were not sent there specifically to get a glimpse of God. To give an example, Samuel Morses parting telegram in 1871 stated: All throughout the world, greetings and gratitude are sent to the telegraph fraternity. And, lo, the angel of the Lord descended upon them, and the glory of the Lord shined around them, and they were terrified to their hearts content. They were terrified, 10but the angel reassured them. A similar scene is depicted in theNativity at NightofGeertgen tot Sint Jans, when the shepherds are seen the annunciation from a hillside via a gap in the stable wall. NLT Everyday Matters Bible for Women, softcover, NLT Giant-Print Personal-Size Bible, Filament Enabled Edition--soft leather-look, rustic brown, NLT Compact Giant Print Bible, Filament Enabled Edition (Red Letter, LeatherLike, Navy Blue Cross), Contemporary Comparative Side-by-Side Bible: NIV/NKJV/NLT/The Message, Bonded leather, burgundy. Keeping in mind that Mary had resided in their home for three months while she was pregnant, its possible that the clothes were a type of baby shower present. These shepherds had to keep watch at night in case a wild beast or thief attempted to infiltrate the flock. Like the shepherds, then, I too must say: Come on; I want to Bethlehem to see the Word that has occurred there. The story of the shepherds is included in the Gospel for a reason: they show us the right way to respond to the message that we too have received (Benedict XVI, Christmas Eve Homily, 2009). The Shepherds' Story. They were comforted by the angels words: Fear not; for, see, I bring you good news of great joy that will be to all humanity. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, who is the fulfillment of all Scripture. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Three surprises for Christmas | Psephizo . One of its regulations states it expressly forbids the keeping of flocks throughout the land of Israel except in the wilderness and the only flocks otherwise kept would be those for the Temple services(Bab K.7:7; 80a) (Bab K.7:7; 80a). It was the priests responsibility to remain in the Migdal Eder throughout the night. Why did God choose them? No one woke up in Bethlehem and said, Aww, gee, I hope I grow up to be a shepherd. They represented one of the lowest of the low in terms of social strata. Instead of opting for a life of wealth and power, he comes from poor beginnings and practices humility all the way to the point of dying on a crucifix. During a preview of the upcoming Messiah documentary, which aired on BYU-TV on December 6th, Professor Dr. Mary is Gods favored one (1:28), and she has gained favor (1:30) with the Father in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it came to happen during those days that an edict from Caesar Augustus was issued ordering the imposition of taxes across the entire world. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 8That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. The angel . This is also consistent with the biblical interpretation of this episode, in which these two groups represented the peoples of the world between them. For there has been born to you today in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord, who has come to save you from your sins. What Was the Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible? Gods favor enters into the world as a result of Marys cooperation with the heavenly message she receives from God, despite her reservations and concerns. If it is true, it also affects me. These shepherds are the literal first witnesses of Jesus birth, apart from the animals in the barn. The shepherds were scared. Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. 2:9; Acts 10:36; Rom. Lets take a look at the passage where this story is found in the Bible and why they are so important to the Christmas story -, And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. A small child accepts the gift of his parents without condition. More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications. 2:16). Gods sign is that he makes himself small; he becomes a child; he lets us touch him and he asks for our love. We are all familiar with these verses since it is a family custom in many households to recite this tale every year around the time of the Christmas season in order to remind us of the actual meaning of the holiday season. Pope Benedict reflects on the shepherds vigilance: "The principal difference between someone dreaming and someone awake is that the dreamer is in a world of his own. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Yet, they respond with mysterious conviction, asking no questions of the angel or their own senses. Finding the baby in the manger, the shepherds immediately adore him as God. It all starts with the shepherds, as you might expect. Why Did God Reveal To The Shepherds First About Christ's Birth? However, the fact that the shepherds are the first to witness Jesus birth highlights the tone of his life and mission on earth. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Start for FREE. You may be able to pinpoint what it is that pulls you to one Gospel over the other, but can you explain why? Just a few miles outside of Bethlehem, there existed a particular watchtower known as the Migdal Eder, which literally translated means The Tower of the Flock. Sheep bred in the area are believed to have been used as sacrificial animals in the Jewish Temple in nearby Jerusalem. This Jesus will demonstrate Gods favor, Gods love, Gods peace, and Gods healing to anybody who comes to him, whether they are Jews or Gentiles, ritually unclean or those who have never believed in the God of Israel. Though they were stricken with fear, the angel reassures them, telling them the good news which brings great joy, the good news of the birth today of a savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David (Luke 2:11). An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 9And an angel of the Lord (A)appeared to them, and (B)the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. No one could have anticipated that such an audience would be the first to hear . 103:21; 148:2; Dan. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Where is he?. When it comes to the birth of Jesus, who would you think would be the first to find out about it? The Importance of the Shepherds in the Christmas Story - Crosswalk The shepherds who looked after them were guys who had received specialized training for this regal duty. Far if the notion that the angels appeared initially to impoverished, illiterate rural shepherds makes a great deal of sense, the truth is even more compelling. Find answers to your Bible questions with Bible Gateway Plus. We know it was likely close to springtime, the time in which shepherds were out in the fields. They thought highly of themselves and loved religion more than having a relationship with God. Lets see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.. Why did the angels only appear to the shepherds? - Billy Graham 7:10; Rev. 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 9An angel(A) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The shepherds and the angels (Luke 2:8-20) - BBC His self is locked into this dreamworld that is his alone and does not connect him with others. As a result of their encounter with the newborn, the Bible states that they spread the news about what had been told them about this child, and everyone who heard it was surprised at what the shepherds reported to them. If they had been shepherds from Migdal Eder, they could have told the people they encountered on the way back to the hills, their friends and relatives in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, themiddle class people to whom they sold sheep, and the people and priests at the Jewish Temple when they brought their best sheep and lambs to be sold there for sacrifices, that they were from the region. In a similar vein, Jesus refers to himself as our Great Physician. He bandages up our wounds and brings us back to health. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Just as Luke places an early focus on Marys part in Jesus birth into the world, Matthew places an early emphasis on Josephs role in Jesus birth into the world. An angel appeared to them and told them not to be afraid as he brought. There were shepherds in the same country who were camped out in the field and keeping watch over their flock at night. Excited, they went quickly to find the baby Jesus. The Real Truth About the Shepherds on That First Christmas Night The Annunciation is a subject that appears frequently in Christmas cantatas. The size of their eyes and the length of their jaws must have fallen when they saw a baby laying in a feeding trough, wrapped in a swaddling cloth, exactly as the angel had said. If God had picked a monarch or a religious leader instead, the course of events would have been drastically different. Job possessed a flock of 14,000 sheep. Now comes the big question: why did the Christmas shepherds come to be? By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. 9:6, 7; Hag. Would it be more helpful to conceive of virginity as more about being uncluttered (by prior or current distracting obligations) and open to receive what God has to offer instead? 13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of othersthe armies of heavenpraising God and saying, 14Glory to God in highest heaven,and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased., 15When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, Lets go to Bethlehem! The angels parting words to the shepherds are a challenge to respond to this good news: This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. At this point, the shepherds might well have been perplexed How is this a sign? Animal sacrifices were no longer necessary. What Do We Know about the Shepherds at Jesus Birth? Part II of BachsChristmas Oratorio, and Part I of Handels Messiah both include passages from Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend (And there were Hirten in the Same Place), which is one of Bachs most famous works. 10But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. There are nativity scenes, Christmas carols, and Christmas plays that interpret the story of Jesus birth for us. It was their responsibility to ensure that none of the animals were injured, harmed, or blemished throughout the process. Why did the angels appear to shepherds, rather than to priests or In spite of their expectations, the shepherds are content perhaps even amazed with the mystery of God made man in a tiny child, under the most lowly and familiar of circumstances. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. We dont know much else about these shepherds, do we? A prophetic declaration. Often Gabriel comes with messages from God, in the Old and New Testament, and he did give some Christmas tidings to some women prior in the narrative. The shepherds are sometimes represented with musical instruments in Renaissance art, which draws inspiration from ancient myths of Orpheus. Wiki User. Who Wrote One Day At A Time Sweet Jesus. Imagine the ire of his brothers when they watched their lowliest brother become the high king of Israel. As Luke 2:13-14 states: "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to . 20And the shepherds returned, (S)glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 24:4 Edersheim says the shepherd's job description offers us a clue: "These men who watched the sheep meant for the slaughter received a divine message about the ultimate . (B) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. So he chose one of the most humble people in the land to witness the humble birth of our Savior.. Mary, on the other hand, saved all of these sayings and pondered them in her heart. 18:18; Ps. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. According to Luke 2:1-21, the narrative of Jesus birth is told. 11For (D)unto you is born this day in (E)the city of David (F)a Savior, who is (G)Christ (H)the Lord. Rembrandt The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds (The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds, 1634). For today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you, and his name is Christ the Lord. One old Bible prophecy also stated that the Jewish messiah will come to the tower of the sheep, which is located in Jerusalem (Micah 4:8). 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying. Why Is it Important to Remember That Jesus Was Jewish? And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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