Posted: 13 January 2023

From a sermon given on 25 December 2022:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 2:8-11)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “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.

In Bethlehem town of David, Mary is blessed with a firstborn son. It is night time in the hills of Judea. Herald of good tidings is infiltrating the atmosphere.

A group of shepherds, who were considered lowly and unclean for being with animals all the time according to Jews culture, are the first recipients of the breaking news; the birth of a Savior for all the people of the earth.

The labors and physical toil of the day is behind, it is a reflective and restful time. It is in the stillness of the night that God chose to send His messenger to reveal the birth of Christ to them. A time when He would have their undivided attention. They are keeping watch over the flocks against any predators and potential dangers. The appearance of the angel could have been mistaken with a sign of a threat but their message was different, "do not be afraid, I bring you good news."

We may be laid up in a night of different possibilities and the only message ringing in our audial faculty and blinking hazardously is fear! It is often in those times of quiet and stillness that the Lord will come to us with a tiding, a savior, an answer and Messiah has been born.

"The Lord knows we have fears; financial fears loaded with an empty purse, fears of some real enemies, family fears or health issues with a bed of sickness or injury. But every case our fears can be calmed if we will put our confidence in God." (Faith life sermons)

Further readings:

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
(Micah 5:2)

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
(Matthew 1:20)

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation
(Luke 2:30)