The Christmas Story From The Gospel Of Luke Part 6 Humble Shepherds Hear Glorious News

When the fulness of time was come, at the right moment in history, God sent forth His Son, Jesus.

Luke 2:1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 

Luke's narrative about the birth of Jesus continues with the words "And it came to pass in those days." 

"Those days" refer to the time when John the Baptist was born, and when the birth of Jesus Christ drew near.

Jesus was born at the time when the Roman empire conquered more territory and wielded more power than it ever had before. 

Rome's dominion stretched from Parthia in Africa to Britain in Europe and it was rightly called "the empire of the whole earth."

Daniel 2:44  And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 

When Jesus was born is when Daniel's prophecy began to be fulfilled.

It marked the beginning of the Father establishing His everlasting Kingdom on earth where His Son, Jesus Christ will rule and reign.

The phrase "that all the world should be taxed" refers to being registered like a census. 

This was taking an account of the names of persons, and their places, in order to lay a tax upon them.

Therefore Luke gave us the historical timeframe of Jesus' birth and why He was born at Bethlehem.

Galatians 4:4-5  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

All the beautiful hope filled strands of Micah, Daniel and Isaiah's prophecies about Messiah were coming together at the exact time and place historically, as the Father planned.

This is precisely what Paul referred to when writing to the Christians at Galatia.

And notice how the angel's announcement of good news is amplified by declaring that when a sinner is regenerated by the Spirit of God, he or she is adopted into the Father's family!

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, Emmanuel was born!

Luke 2:6-7  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Many have thought Jesus' birth in a stable indicated that Mary and Joseph were poor.

However, Luke tells us the reason given by the Spirit of God is because there was no room for them in the inn.

What were "swaddling clothes?" 

In those times, when a Jewish child was born it was washed in water, rubbed in salt, and then wrapped in swaddling clothes.

These were cloth bands or blankets that confined the limbs closely (See Ezekiel 16:4). 

Psalm 33:11  The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Micah 5:2  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. 

All of these events recorded in the gospels about the birth of Christ are fulfillment of prophecies given hundreds of years before Jesus was born.

It serves as a powerful reminder that what God says will come to pass in the time and manner of His choosing.

This reminds those of us who read and study God's Word, to have complete confidence in His promises and His faithfulness to do as He said He would do.

This settles our hearts as we make our way through this life on our pilgrimage to a new, heavenly home.

God declared the birth of His Son to humble shepherds watching over their flocks.

Luke 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9  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. 

Once again during the Christmas narrative, the angel of the Lord appeared and God's glory brilliantly illuminated the night sky.

These humble shepherds were very much afraid but their fears would be swiftly put to rest.

It is noteworthy that a heavenly announcement of the Savior's birth was first given to humble shepherds doing their job in the hill country surrounding Bethlehem.

Shepherds were generally despised by Sadducees, Pharisees, scribes and the wealthy elite Jews.

They were not permitted to come close at the temple because they were viewed as unclean and of low esteem.

Yet, the Father sent a group of His angels to humble shepherds and this is a glorious reminder that the gospel of Christ is for all people in every place, without regard to education, wealth or status.

God is no respecter of persons and He has declared that the entire world population from Adam until this day, are born in sin, and stand before Him condemned by sin (See Romans 3:1-19).

But, this announcement is good news to all people, everywhere, that God sent forth His Son to bear the suffering and death that we deserve for our sins.

When Christ rose from the grave, He triumphed over sin, death, Hell and the Devil.

This is the good news, and this is why we must preach, teach and share the gospel of Jesus Christ as He commands us to do (See Matthew 28:18-20).

A holy child, a Savior, a King in the line of King David is born in Bethlehem.

Luke 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

The angel of the Lord comforted the humble shepherds and told them not to fear.

With his wonderful words of hope "Behold, I bring you good tidings" the angel of the Lord showed that he came not proclaiming judgments from God, but His merciful lovingkindness.

This glorious gospel message was "Unto you"  meaning to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles.

This announcement was made on the very day that Jesus was born, meaning that God first declared it to these humble shepherds, for the wise men did not arrive until a year or two passed.

Heaven's praises filled the night sky with glorious rejoicing from a host of angels!

Luke 2:13-14  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

What a shout of exaltation from heaven. "And suddenly there was with the angel" that brought the tidings of Christ's birth to the shepherds, a multitude of angels.

These were of the heavenly host who suddenly appeared with the angel of the Lord.

They are called a host, or army, the militia of heaven, the ministers of God that wait upon Him to do His perfect will.

Luke 2:15-17  And 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. 16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 

These humble shepherds responded to heaven's glorious declaration that a Savior had been born.

They said they must immediately go to Bethlehem to see what had been described by the angel.

They gave all glory to God in saying that the Lord made known His mighty work to them.

They came with haste, with urgency, not wasting any time.

When they arrived at the stable, they found Joseph and Mary just as the angel of the Lord had said.

What amazement and joy must have flooded into their souls that night!

God sent His Son into this world to save us from our sins.

God's holy angels were sent to men of low estate; humble shepherds so that they might be the first ones to greet the Christ child.

Then, they did exactly what all believers in Christ should do.

They told many other people about all that happened to them and what they found at Bethlehem.

Luke 2:18-20  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 

This part of the Christmas story concludes by Luke telling us that all the people whom the shepherds witnessed to, were filled with great wonder.

Mary probably remembered what the angel of the Lord told her about giving birth to the Son of God.

She kept or treasured all of these things in her heart and thought about them often, for these mighty works of God would shape her as a mother.

For the shepherd's part, they returned to their duty of watching over their flocks and gave God all glory, honor and praise for all that they heard as saw that night.

We too, should take time to give God all glory, honor and praise for sending His Son, Jesus Christ to save us from our sins.

Without Christ we have no hope of being saved from our sins.

With Christ, we are born again children of the living God who walk by faith each day, on the God pleasing narrow way that leads to eternal life.

May our God help us to see the Christmas story with fresh eyes and child like faith.

May we share the same sense of wonder and awe that the humble shepherds had.

May we seek to follow our Lord by daily reading His Word and seeking His help understanding His truth, so that we may glorify Him with our body and spirit.

Bob