why were the shepherds the first to visit baby jesus

What Do We Know about the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth?

Many nativity scenes include the wise men alongside the shepherds, but their timing is different from one another. The shepherds were the first to be notified of Jesus’ birth and are an important part of the nativity story. 

The New Testament begins with the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books tell us about the arrival of the Messiah who is Jesus the Christ. Of these four books, just one takes us through the scene of Jesus’ birth. 

Matthew gives us only Jesus’ genealogy, John tells us of Jesus’ deity (the Word became flesh), and Mark skips to Jesus as an adult. 

It is only in the book of Luke that we are ushered into the holy moments surrounding Jesus’ birth, and that includes the shepherds.

Interpreting the Story of Jesus’ Birth

There are nativity scenes, Christmas carols, and Christmas plays that interpret the story of Jesus’ birth for us. Sometimes, people use a thing called artistic license. 

Oftentimes, this can be helpful in enlarging our view. But other times it can distort the truth and, therefore, what we think we know. 

Many nativity scenes include the wise men alongside the shepherds, but their timing is different from one another. 

The shepherds were the first to be notified of Jesus’ birth and are an important part of the nativity story. 

Let’s look at the story as written in the Bible to see what we can know about the shepherds.

The Story of Jesus’ Birth

The story of Jesus’ birth is found in Luke 2:1-21 .

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.   (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  

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:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.

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.

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For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace , good will toward men.

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.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

What We Know about the Shepherds

We don’t know who they were by name, nor how many there were. There are conflicting articles about their social status but it’s clear that God saw them as important. 

Here are a few facts we can know:

• They were the first to be told; They were busy doing what they always do. 
• They saw and heard the angel of the Lord; They were afraid at first.
• They saw and heard the host of angels praising God.
• They believed the angel of the Lord and went to see Jesus — with haste.
• They were the first evangelists; They saw Jesus long before the wise men. He was less than a-week-old in the manger.

The shepherds are an important part of the nativity story and should not be forgotten.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/rudall30

Danielle Bernock  is 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. She’s written  Emerging With Wings , A Bird Named Payn ,  Love’s Manifesto ,  Because You Matter , and hosts the  Victorious Souls Podcast. A long-time follower of Christ, Danielle lives with her husband in Michigan near her adult children and grandchildren. For more information or to connect with Danielle  https://www.daniellebernock.com/

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The Importance of the Shepherds in the Christmas Story

• Hope Bolinger Author
• Updated Nov 30, 2021

Even if we haven’t had the delight of watching children perform in a Christmas pageant, we know that the Christmas shepherds appeared during the night of Jesus’ birth. Let’s 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. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 those on whom his favor rests.” 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.”   Luke 2:8-15

What The Bible Says About the Shepherds

Apart from the narrative above, we don’t have much detailing on the shepherds. We know it was likely close to springtime, the time in which shepherds were out in the fields. And they worked, essentially, the second and third shift, staying up with the sheep. They would’ve lived outside of the borders of the town.

What else do we know about these shepherds?

According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary , “In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. 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. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief.”

In essence, the job never stopped. In a modern context, we may know someone who works more jobs than they can handle just to pay the bills. These shepherds had to keep watch at night in case a wild beast or thief attempted to infiltrate the flock.

Which Angel Appeared to the Shepherds in the Christmas Story?

Their typically nightly duties hit a snag when the angel of the Lord appears to them and tells them the good tidings of the Messiah. Even if they didn’t have the strongest education, they would’ve had to memorize the first five books of the Bible in their youth. They had a familiarity with the prophecies of this Messiah.

Why Did God Choose to Shepherds About the Birth of Jesus First?

Now comes the ultimate question: why the Christmas shepherds? It does, after all, take the Magi (kings) two years to make the trek to Bethlehem. These shepherds are the literal first witnesses of Jesus’ birth, apart from the animals in the barn. We may often hear the reason , “Because God doesn’t care about riches. So he chose one of the most humble people in the land to witness the humble birth of our Savior.”

True, but the answer lies beyond just this. It foreshadows the important role Jesus will play as our Good Shepherd. Also, it f oreshadows how Israel will treat the Good Shepherd. Like the shepherds, Israel looked down and scorned Jesus.

But when the shepherds witness the birth first, this underscores the tone of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth. Instead of choosing a life of luxury and power, he has humble origins and exercises humility to the point of death on a cross. It all starts with the shepherds. It has to.

4 Facts about the Christmas Shepherds 

What else should we know about these characters that can help enhance our understanding of the passage found in Luke 2 ?

First, we should know that the Israelites had a shepherding heritage, whether they liked it or not.

The patriarchs themselves had hosts of sheep that they looked after. Job had 14,000 sheep. And the land abounded with these creatures. Even if these shepherds experienced derision from their fellow citizens, they had a wonderful history that made up the very fabric of Semitic life.

Secondly, the youngest boy of the family often ended up in the role of a shepherd. This makes sense as to why David cared for flocks while his brothers went off to war. As the last in the birth order, his father gave him the lowliest of positions. Imagine the ire of his brothers when they watched their lowliest brother become the high king of Israel.

Thirdly, shepherds also operated as physicians for the sheep. Sheep can often get sunburned or run into a scraggly bush (they aren’t the brightest of creatures). The shepherds administered medical care for their livestock. Similarly, Jesus calls himself our Great Physician. He binds up our wounds and heals us. Like sheep, we can often find that we bruise or cut easily. But we have a Healer and Provider in our flock.

How wonderful that God chose the lowest of the low to see the most important birth of all time. Because of their humble origins, the shepherds cannot help but rejoice and tell everyone they see about the birth of the Messiah. If God had chosen a king or a religious leader, the situation would’ve played out very differently. Instead, he picks a group of shepherds who set the tone for Jesus’ life and ministry.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/ KristiLinton

Hope Bolinger  is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com   for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.

This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!

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The Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth and the Geography of Bethlehem

Often when reading the birth narrative of the Christmas story, we filter what the Bible says through our twenty-first-century Western mindset. Combined with images from church nativity plays, holiday cards, and Christmas movies, we’re left with a perspective that’s sometimes not quite accurate.

That’s why considering the culture and context of first-century Israel—as well as the geography of the land—is so important.

Luke 2:8 provides some clues that help us understand the geographical setting of the visit of the shepherds at Jesus’ birth and the time of year of Jesus’ birth:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (NIV, emphasis added)

“Nearby” suggests that the shepherds were in Bethlehem’s economic zone, the area that stretched mainly eastward into the Beit Sahour basin, a region dotted with grain fields although bordering the open Judean Wilderness.

‘Living out in the fields’

That the shepherds who visited Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were “living out in the fields” suggests several things.

First, the shepherds must have had rights to be in fields that otherwise would have been sown with grain. Likely they were shepherds connected to the village of Bethlehem, like David (1 Sam 16:11; 17:15, 20; Ps 78:70–71), rather than shepherds of the semi-nomadic variety (i.e., Bedouin). If so, they likely would have known everyone in Bethlehem and been familiar with the community.

Second, the shepherds must have been in the fields at a time when the fields were fallow—that is, after harvest and before plowing and planting. Theirs is a symbiotic relationship: sheep and goats (flocks are nearly always mixed) graze on the stubble of the harvested wheat and barley fields and in the process fertilize the field for the next cycle of plowing and planting.

While not negating the age-old tension between farmers and shepherds over land use, within the confines of a village, their relationship is mutually dependent and usually beneficial. Based on the weather patterns of Israel, the season between harvest and plowing is summer through early autumn (June/July through September/October). Fields are plowed at the beginning of the rainy season, and grain (barley and wheat) is planted in November. Barley ripens by March/April (the time of Passover; Exod 23:15; Deut 16:1–8) and wheat a few weeks later in May/early June (the time of Shavuot/Weeks/Pentecost; Exod 23:16; Deut 16:9–12).

Here we can place the story of Ruth, a Bethlehem harvest story (Ruth 2:1–3:18). In late December and January, when the rain is the heaviest, the grain is just beginning to sprout, its tender shoots promising a good harvest as long as shepherds keep their flocks out of the fields. If the rains are good, there is sufficient rainfall, meanwhile, for a thin covering of wild grasses to sprout in the Judean Wilderness and runoff rainfall to collect in wilderness depressions and pools.

The shepherds’ fields

It is here where shepherds drive their flocks when the fields nearer Bethlehem are otherwise sprouting grain. As the rain tapers off in the spring and temperatures rise, the grasses of the wilderness burn off, and the shepherds bring their flocks back up into the hills, entering the fields after the wheat has been harvested in early summer.

These seasonal patterns imply the birth of Jesus was a summertime event Luke’s statement that the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks “at night” suggests the same. In the rainy wintertime, nighttime temperatures in Bethlehem are typically in the low 50s (degrees Fahrenheit) at best, and can drop below freezing. This is the time of year that flocks would either be deep in the warmer wilderness, or if in Bethlehem, housed in stables, out of the cold and driving rain. In the summertime, temperatures in Bethlehem often rise to the high 80s and 90s (degrees Fahrenheit), hot enough to drive shepherds and flocks into shade and inactivity during the heat of the day. But summer nights out of doors are quite pleasant, a time when shepherding at night would be expected.

Rabbinic sources (m. Shekalim 7:4) indicate that certain fields at Migdal Eder (lit. “watchtower of the flock;” compare Gen 35:19–21) southeast of Bethlehem were reserved year-round as places where animals that were intended for temple sacrifice were raised. Such shepherds were, it is often supposed, more ritually clean than common shepherds and hence more fitting to be the ones chosen by the angels to visit the infant Jesus.

Shepherds at Jesus’ birth

John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NIV), and while it may be theologically tempting to associate his birth with shepherds who were already connected to the ritual of temple sacrifice, this can in no way be proven. 1

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•   Wright, Paul H. 2016. “The Birthplace of Jesus and the Journeys of His First Visitors.” In Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels , edited by Barry J. Beitzel and Kristopher A. Lyle ( Lexham Press, Bellingham, WA, 2016), 5–6.

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Who Were The Shepherds At Jesus’ Birth?

The story of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem is one of the most beloved parts of the Christmas narrative. But who exactly were these humble shepherds who received the glorious news of the Savior’s birth?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible does not provide names or detailed background information on the shepherds who saw the angel and visited Jesus . They were simply local shepherds keeping watch over their flocks near Bethlehem.

In this in-depth article, we will explore everything the Bible does tell us about these shepherds, including clues about their occupation, character, and possible significance. We’ll also survey other historical sources and scholarly research to try to shed more light on who these modest men were who had the awe-inspiring privilege of being the very first to worship the newborn Christ.

The Biblical Account of the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth

The shepherds in the fields near bethlehem.

The shepherds who saw the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth and visited the newborn Savior were humble men working in the fields near Bethlehem. They were likely caring for the temple flocks that supplied sacrificial lambs for worship in the temple in Jerusalem, just five miles away (Luke 2:8).

These hardworking men received an unbelievable divine revelation and hurried to witness the long-awaited Messiah, the Lord Christ.

The Angel’s Announcement to the Shepherds

The shepherds received a wondrous, startling visitation from an angel of the Lord with the news that the Christ had been born. Accompanying the angel was “the glory of the Lord” shining down from heaven (Luke 2:9).

Awestruck, the shepherds listened as the angel proclaimed he brought “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” that on this night in Bethlehem, the long-awaited Savior and Messiah had been born (Luke 2:10-12).

Then “a great company” of other praising angels appeared, singing praises to God for this glorious event. When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds swiftly went to find the Christ child.

The Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus in the Manger

The angel had given the shepherds miraculous signs to recognize the Savior after He told them of the joyous news : “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). Leaving their flocks in the field, they hurried the short distance to Bethlehem, where they found Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus lying in the manger, just as the angel foretold.

These humble shepherds then believed this remarkable revelation and joyfully shared their experience with the new parents, telling Mary and Joseph what the angel proclaimed about this holy infant Boy. The shepherds’ visit powerfully verifies Jesus as the long-promised Messiah (Luke 2:16-20).

What the Bible Reveals About the Identity and Lives of the Shepherds

They were unnamed local shepherds.

The Bible does not provide the specific names of the shepherds who witnessed the angels announcing Jesus’ birth. They are simply referred to as “shepherds living out in the fields nearby” (Luke 2:8). As residents near Bethlehem tending sheep, they were likely minor shepherds in the area.

They Were Living Near Bethlehem

According to Scripture, the shepherds were living out in fields near Bethlehem when the angels appeared to them: “there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night” (Luke 2:8).

So geographically, these shepherds resided close to the town where Jesus was born.

They Were Going About Their Normal Work

The Bible conveys that the shepherds were doing their regular job of caring for sheep when the angel of the Lord visited them. They were “keeping watch over their flocks at night” (Luke 2:8), being diligent caretakers before encountering the life-changing news.

They Were From a Lower Social Class

As keepers and herders of sheep in Biblical times, shepherds like those in the nativity story often came from a lower social class. However, despite their probable humble backgrounds, these unnamed men played the honored role of being the first visitors to worship the newborn Jesus.

They Were Considered Righteous and Faithful

While shepherds as a group were lowly in status, the Bible presents these particular men positively. After hearing from the angel, they made haste to find Jesus in the manger, faithful in believing the messenger’s news that the savior was born.

Their immediate action to visit baby Jesus demonstrates their righteousness and heart for the truth .

The Significance of God Choosing to Reveal Jesus’ Birth to Shepherds

Shepherds symbolized humility and lowliness.

In Jesus’ time, shepherds were considered humble and lowly members of society. They lived outdoors tending to flocks and did not enjoy high social status or power. God revealing the birth of Jesus to shepherds first showed that the messiah was coming for humble folk.

As Jesus later said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). The shepherds remind us that Christ’s teaching elevates the humble.

Shepherds Represented the Scripture Promise of a Shepherd-King

Shepherds were also significant because the Old Testament promised a Shepherd-King would come from the line of David. Ezekiel 34 speaks of God becoming the Shepherd who seeks the lost, binds up the injured, and strengthens the weak.

Choosing shepherds to receive the news of Jesus’ birth reinforced he was the fulfillment of this promised Savior-Shepherd. As Jesus later declared, “I am the good shepherd” who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Shepherds Mirrored Attributes Jesus Would Later Embody

Lastly, shepherds themselves modeled qualities Jesus exemplified in his ministry. Shepherds lovingly tended their flocks, knew their sheep individually, guided them to food and water, and protected them from harm.

Jesus embodied these traits as the Good Shepherd who knew His followers intimately, provided abundant spiritual food and living water, and laid down his life sacrificially for the sheep. The shepherds were a picture of the servant leadership and compassion Jesus would model.

The Possible Deeper Meaning Behind ‘Shepherds’ in This Narrative

A symbolic connection to king david’s life.

There may be a symbolic meaning behind the shepherds’ inclusion in the nativity story. As the prophets foretold, Jesus was born in Bethlehem , the city of David. David himself was a shepherd boy before becoming king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:11).

Featuring shepherds at Christ’s birth could be a purposeful parallel, emphasizing Jesus’ lineage from David and foreshadowing Jesus’ future reign as king.

Foreshadowing Jesus as the Good Shepherd

The shepherds’ presence may also symbolically point ahead to Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). Shepherds care for sheep, protecting them from harm. In the same way, Jesus cares deeply for His people, rescuing the lost and binding up the injured (Ezekiel 34:16).

The shepherds hurrying to find the newborn Christ child mirrors Christ’s later ministry to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

Representing Jesus Gathering Outcasts Into His Flock

Socially, shepherds occupied one of the lowest rungs in first century Jewish society. Their testimony was even inadmissible in court. By making such overlooked people the first witnesses to the Messiah, the narrative could symbolize Jesus’ ministry to gather in societal outcasts despised as “sinners” by the religious elite (Luke 15:1-2).

The Christ child being made known first to humble shepherds hints at His later teachings that “the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16).

Extra-Biblical Theories About the Identity of the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth

Legends of the shepherds being from the migdal eder watchtower.

Some extra-biblical theories suggest the shepherds who witnessed Jesus’ birth came from the Migdal Eder watchtower near Bethlehem. This tower was used by shepherds to guard the temple flock of lambs destined for sacrifice in Jerusalem (micah 4:8).

According to legend, the Messiah’s birth would be first announced here.

A 3rd century Christian text, the Protevangelium of James , claims the shepherds at Migdal Eder knew the Messiah had been born because they witnessed extraordinary events around the time of Jesus’ birth.

Angels, a bright star over Bethlehem, and even the miraculous opening of the tower gates occurred to alert the shepherds that the Christ child had come.

While these legends connect the shepherds to an important temple site, the Bible does not specify they were from Migdal Eder or had these experiences. The embellished stories may have developed later to emphasize the shepherds’ role as the first to learn of Jesus’ birth.

Embellished Stories About the Shepherds Witnessing Miracles

In addition to the Protevangelium legend, other extra-biblical stories describe the shepherds seeing miracles and supernatural events that aren’t mentioned in the Bible. In the Revelation of Pseudo-Matthew , the shepherds witness the Magi’s star, see angels filling the sky, and observe a bright light over the manger.

Some texts even claim one shepherd put his hand in the manger to test if the child was real, only to have his hand wither. When the shepherd begged forgiveness, Jesus healed his hand. These embellished stories developed long after the gospels were written.

While compelling, these extra details about shining stars,withered hands, and countless angels have no biblical basis. They likely grew as the Christmas story was retold to emphasize Jesus’ divinity and miraculous birth.

The Bible simply describes an angel telling the shepherds about Jesus, prompting them to visit the child.

The humble shepherds who heard the heavenly chorus proclaiming Jesus’ birth and sought out the newborn King in the manger remain beloved, if mysterious, figures. While the Bible gives only glimpses into their occupation, character, and possible symbolism, one thing is absolutely clear: however simple and obscure their stations in life, God bestowed on them the priceless honor of being the very first witnesses to His Son the Savior’s long-awaited coming into the world.

As we marvel at the holy night when lowly shepherds met their Lord incarnate in Bethlehem, perhaps God is calling each of us to heed the angel’s message as well: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy…”

Amanda Williams is a dedicated Christian writer and blogger who is passionate about sharing Biblical truth and encouraging believers in their faith walks. After working as a youth pastor and Bible teacher for several years, she launched her blog in 2022 to minister to Christians online seeking to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ. When she's not creating content or connecting with readers, Amanda enjoys studying theology, being out in nature, baking, and spending time with family. Her goal is to provide practical wisdom and hope from a genuine Christian perspective. Amanda currently resides in Colorado with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs.

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Why did the angels announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds first?

Luke 2 details for us a wonderful scene: the arrival of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, on earth as a human being. While the arrival of the King of kings merited such honor and respect from the whole of humanity both rich and poor, what we see is a humbling display of God's character.

That night presented to us many things baffling: the King of Kings finding no place in an inn; being born and laid in a manger; and having shepherds, among others, as His guests. That last part probably makes all of us think: of all the people in the world, why would God choose to announce the Messiah's arrival to shepherds?

In this article we will take a look at a few opinions. Here they are:

• To show God's love for everyone

Famed and beloved evangelist, Billy Graham, believes  that God chose to announce Christ's arrival to shepherds in order to show His great love for everyone.

Shepherds weren't just humble people limited to watching over a group of sheep; Graham notes that they were looked down upon by many people. But since God's love is for all people, He chose to reveal His love to people who were looked down upon and considered less by others.

• A prophetic declaration

Alfred Edersheim, a Biblical scholar who lived between 1825-1889, believed  that God had a divine purpose announcing Christ's coming to shepherds first.

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 Lamb who would take away the sins of the world through His death and resurrection."

Jesus is indeed the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world through the shedding of His blood. While the shepherds merely rejoiced at the fact that they saw the Christ, God sees the ultimate end of Christ's coming to earth:

"By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities." (see Isaiah 53:11)

• To shame religious leaders

Gabriel Powell, in a blog entry , noted that one reason why God chose to announce the good news of Christ's coming to shepherds was to shame religious leaders at the time. How is this?

It would be quite logical to announce Christ's coming to those who lead in spiritual matters, but the religious leaders during Jesus time were so proud of their religiosity. They were so proud of themselves that they would even call themselves "children of Abraham." We read in John 8:37-59 how the Lord Jesus Himself countered their claims and showed them that they are wrong in saying that.

Powell notes that such religious leaders were put to shame in God's eyes when He chose shepherds. This is based on Paul's assertion in 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, saying:

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are..."

The religious leaders might appear good and great in the eyes of men (including their fellow religious leaders), but God sees through all of us.

My take on the matter

I believe that these three reasons are correct, but if I may give my two cents on the matter, I believe that God chose shepherds to reveal who Christ is: the Great Shepherd.

Being a shepherd is not an easy thing. Shepherds have to protect the flock from dangerous predators such as wolves, lions and bears. Shepherds have to make sure the sheep are safe and have enough pasture to graze on. Shepherds have to make sure not one sheep gets lost because when they do they will be in danger.

Christ Jesus, however, is not just our Passover Lamb. He is also the Great Shepherd of the sheep who lays His life for the sheep (John 10:11), leaves the ninety-nine to seek the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7), the Shepherd who meets all our longings (Psalm 23), and the Great Shepherd who calls His sheep to follow Him (John 10:27).

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Why Do the Christmas Angels Appear to Shepherds?

The birth of Jesus was a most miraculous event, having been foretold centuries before. And such a momentous event deserved a grand announcement. Of all the people who would first be told, why do the angels first appear to shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth?

Michael and Stormie Omartian wrote and staged a musical titled Child of the Promise. The story follows the narrative of the prophecies and birth of Jesus the Messiah. Various artists sang the roles of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Joseph, Mary, and others as told in the Bible. The shepherds in the field near Bethlehem, too, had a role. Their song was comic in that it spoke of how they were the lowest of the low and their lives would never reach the status of shepherd David killing Goliath. Then an angel appeared in holy splendor along with a heavenly host and stunned the shepherds to silence.

The Bible gives us great insight into why God chose to make His announcement of “cosmic significance” to a bunch of lowly shepherds.

What Was the Role and Status of Shepherds in the First Century?

Shepherds lived difficult, almost nomadic lifestyles at the time of Jesus. Overseeing flocks which likely consisted of both sheep and goats, those dusty hard-working men were accountable for their flocks. Night was never a time for uninterrupted sleep, as shepherds had to place their charges into sheepfolds and protect them from predators and robbers. Each sheep was counted every morning and should one have gone missing, the shepherd searched diligently for his lost charge.

Shepherds were given license to allow their flocks to feed in fields near villages. Often, some of their sheep were used as sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem, so special care was in order. Sheep and goats were also used for their thick wool and for meat.

Though the patriarchs were respected shepherds, those in the first century did not enjoy anything but a low status within their culture. They shared the same social stratum as tax collectors and dung sweepers. In the time of the patriarchs, shepherds enjoyed being in an honorable occupation because at that time, pretty much all were living nomadic lives. But with the advent of greater population and hubs of society, a “homeless” shepherd lacked social stability, something culture chose to value.

Randy Alcorn tells us, “Smug religious leaders maintained a strict caste system at the expense of shepherds and other common folk. Shepherds were officially labeled ‘sinners’ — a technical term for a class of despised people.”

Where Does the Bible Tell Us about the Angels Appearing to the Shepherds?

Luke’s is the only Gospel account which mentions the shepherds. The narrative is written in Luke 2:8-20 ,

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “’Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Why Are Shepherds the First to Hear of Jesus’ Birth?

God has a reason for everything He does, and sometimes it takes a little research to discover the why of His actions. But times exist where God is not clear about His ways. We accept that with joy because God is sovereign, and the Bible tells us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD” ( Isaiah 55:8 ).

God is not explicit in His Word about why the shepherds were the first to receive the announcement of Jesus’ birth, but with a little digging we can find some possibilities.

5 Possible Reasons the Angels Appeared to the Shepherds

To salve our curiosity and consciences, let’s relate the angel’s appearance to the shepherds to our Lord Jesus.

1. Lowly 

When Jesus again spoke to the crowds who followed Him, He revealed more of His human condition, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” ( Matthew 11:28-30 ).

If anyone in that culture understood a lowly state, the shepherds did. Their estate was one of subservience and humility. Jesus arrived on this earth in the form of a helpless baby, and, while raised in the household of a craftsman, His position was not regal and mighty as the Jews expected.

2.  Shepherds

The major biblical patriarchs were Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Each of these men were shepherds for a time of their lives, albeit their occupation was more noble when they served as such. King David called the Lord his shepherd ( Psalm 23:1 ), and Jesus called Himself the good Shepherd ( John 10:11 , 14).

The shepherd motif is a broad one throughout Scripture . Isaiah 53:6 reminds us, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah is speaking of Jesus Christ as the One on whom God has laid the iniquity of us all.

Of course, the One who watches over us and keeps us in His safety is the Lord Jesus Christ. He, our chief Shepherd laid His life down for His sheep ( 1 Peter 5:4 ). He is the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. We who have surrendered to Jesus in repentance and faith are His sheep.

4.  Watchful

The shepherds in the field outside Bethlehem were awake and watchful. When the angel appeared in the night sky, they reacted with great fear, and then belief. They did not doubt what the Lord had shown to them. Their demeanor serves as a contrast to the Jews who watched for a mighty king to save them from the yoke of the Romans. The evidence was clear; they chose to reject it. As Pastor Don Stewart says, “Though the people went through the proper rituals that God had commanded, their hearts were not in them. They were not that interested in the truth of God.”

5.  Proclamation

Jesus proclaimed the kingdom while He was on the earth ( Mark 1:14 ; Luke 4:43 ). Once the shepherds saw the baby, they told people what the angel said to them. And they returned to their fields, glorifying God and praising Him for all they had seen and heard. And now we, His sheep, proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom ( Luke 21:17 ).

What Does This Mean for Us?

The shepherds’ role in the Nativity narrative may seem insignificant , and so we must remember God wastes no words; all He included in His Word is important, including the lowly shepherds. Our first lesson then, is to read God’s Word with wonder, curiosity, and expectancy.

Even the location — Bethlehem Ephrathah — speaks of the humble nature of Jesus’ entry into the world. Micah 5:2 tells us it was “too little to be among the clans of Judah,” yet the Savior was born there.

Jesus came to earth to bring salvation via the cruel cross. As His sheep, we need to die to our fleshly nature. “And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it’” ( Luke 9:23-24 ). We are part of His kingdom and all our hope is in Him as we follow His commands. Yet we eagerly wait for His return, for then we will be in His presence forever. “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” ( 1 Corinthians 15:19 ).

We need our good Shepherd to guide us and protect us from harm — first from ourselves and also from the evil one. Our Shepherd is our Savior, Jesus Christ, and like a good shepherd, He keeps us as He overcomes the world ( John 16:33 ).

One day we will all stand before the Sovereign Lord, and He will separate the sheep from the goats. His sheep will be on His right, and He will tell us we are blessed by His Father and we will inherit the kingdom He prepared for us. He will tell the goats on His left to depart from Him into the eternal fire because they are cursed; they did not follow Him nor His commands. The sheep are the righteous who will go into eternal life; the goats will go away into eternal punishment ( Matthew 25:34-46 ).

As you read the account of the shepherds in the field on the night our Savior was born, may you reflect on Jesus’ humility, mercy, grace, goodness, holiness, and truth. God used lowly shepherds to share the good news. How kind of Him to use even use as His ambassadors ( 2 Corinthians 5:20 ).

Merry Christmas!

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/rudall30

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• 12 Jan. Mark 1:16-20
• 13 Jan. Mark 1:21-27
• 14 Jan. Mark 1:29-34
• 15 Jan. Mark 1:35-42
• 16 Jan. Matthew 4:25 - 5:10
• 17 Jan. Matthew 5:13
• 18 Jan. Matthew 5:14-16
• 19 Jan. Matthew 5:38-48
• 20 Jan. Matthew 6:5-13
• 21 Jan. Matthew 6:19-24
• 22 Jan. Matthew 7:1-5
• 23 Jan. Matthew 7:7-12
• 24 Jan. Matthew 7:13-14
• 25 Jan. Matthew 7:24-29
• 26 Jan. Mark 2:1-6
• 27 Jan. Mark 2:13-17
• 28 Jan. Mark 2:21-22
• 29 Jan. Mark 2:23-27
• 30 Jan. Mark 3:7-12
• 31 Jan. Mark 3:13-19
• 1 Feb. Mark 3:20-30
• 2 Feb. Mark 4:1-8
• 3 Feb. Mark 4:30-34
• 4 Feb. Mark 4:35-41
• 5 Feb. Mark 5:1-15
• 6 Feb. Mark 5:21-43
• 7 Feb. Mark 6:1-6
• 8 Feb. Mark 6:6-13
• 9 Feb. Mark 6:14-16
• 10 Feb. John 5:1-18
• 11 Feb. Luke 11:1-4
• 12 Feb. Luke 11:5-13
• 13 Feb. Luke 12:13-21
• 14 Feb. Mark 6:31-44
• 15 Feb. Mark 6:45-52
• 16 Feb. Mark 7:1-13
• 17 Feb. Mark 7:24-30
• 18 Feb. Mark 7:31-36
• 19 Feb. Mark 8:11-21
• 20 Feb. Mark 8:22-29
• 21 Feb. Mark 8:31-33
• 22 Feb. Mark 8:34-9:1
• 23 Feb. Mark 9:2-9
• 24 Feb. Mark 9:11-13
• 25 Feb. Mark 9:14-27
• 26 Feb. Mark 9:33-37
• 27 Feb. Matthew 17:24-27
• 28 Feb. Luke 17:11-19
• 1 Mar. John 7:14-24
• 2 Mar. John 7:37-44
• 3 Mar. John 7:44-52
• 4 Mar. John 8:12-20
• 5 Mar. John 8:21-59
• 6 Mar. John 9:1-34
• 7 Mar. Mark 9:42-43
• 8 Mar. Luke 10:25-37
• 9 Mar. Luke 15:11-24
• 10 Mar. Luke 15:25-32
• 11 Mar. Luke 17:20-21
• 12 Mar. John 10:1-10
• 13 Mar. John 10:11-18
• 14 Mar. John 10:22-33
• 15 Mar. John 10:40-11:11
• 16 Mar. John 11:17-44
• 17 Mar. John 11:45-54
• 18 Mar. Luke 19:1-10
• 19 Mar. Mark 11:1-7
• 20 Mar. Luke 19:28,35-40
• 21 Mar. Luke 19:41-44
• 22 Mar. John 12:12-19
• 23 Mar. Mark 11:12-14,20-24
• 24 Mar. Mark 11:15-19
• 25 Mar. Mark 11:27-33
• 26 Mar. Matthew 23:1-28
• 27 Mar. Matthew 25:31-46
• 28 Mar. Mark 12:1-12
• 29 Mar. Mark 12:13-17
• 30 Mar. Mark 12:18-27
• 31 Mar. Mark 12:28-34
• 1 Apr. Mark 12:41-44
• 2 Apr. Mark 14:1-9
• 3 Apr. Mark 14:12-16
• 4 Apr. John 13:1-15
• 5 Apr. John 13:21-30
• 6 Apr. John 14:1-11
• 7 Apr. John 14:15-26
• 8 Apr. John 15:1-11
• 9 Apr. Mark 14:22-25
• 10 Apr. Mark 14:26-31
• 11 Apr. Mark 14:32-42
• 12 Apr. Mark 14:43-52
• 13 Apr. John 18:12-14,19-24
• 14 Apr. Mark 14:53-59
• 15 Apr. Mark 14:60-65
• 16 Apr. Mark 14:66-72
• 17 Apr. Luke 23:1-11
• 18 Apr. John 18:28-40
• 19 Apr. Matthew 27:27-40
• 20 Apr. Matthew 27:62-66
• 21 Apr. Matthew 28:1-10
• 22 Apr. Luke 24:35-43
• 23 Apr. John 20:24-29
• 24 Apr. John 21:1-13
• 25 Apr. Matthew 28:16-20
• 26 Apr. Luke 24:45-53
• 27 Apr. 1 Corinthians 15:1-9
• 28 Apr. John 21:20-25
• 29 Apr. Acts 1:1-5
• 30 Apr. Acts 1:15-26
• 1 May. Acts 2:1-4
• 2 May. Acts 2:5-13
• 3 May. Acts 2:14-42
• 4 May. Acts 2:43-47
• 5 May. Acts 3:1-10
• 6 May. Acts 3:11-26
• 7 May. Acts 4:1-31
• 8 May. Acts 4:32-5:11
• 9 May. Acts 5:12-16
• 10 May. Acts 5:17-42
• 11 May. Acts 6:1-7
• 12 May. Acts 6:8-15
• 13 May. Acts 7:1-60
• 14 May. Acts 8:1,11:19-21
• 15 May. Acts 8:5-8
• 16 May. Acts 8:9-13
• 17 May. Acts 8:14-25
• 18 May. Acts 8:26-40
• 19 May. Acts 2:1-2,3:1-2,5:1-3,8:14-17
• 20 May. Acts 9:32-43
• 21 May. Acts 10:1-23
• 22 May. Acts 10:23-48
• 23 May. Acts 11:1-18
• 24 May. Acts 12:1-19
• 25 May. Acts 7:58-8:3,9:1-9
• 26 May. Acts 9:10-19
• 27 May. Galatians 1:11-2:2
• 28 May. Acts 11:19-26
• 29 May. Acts 11:27-13:3
• 30 May. Acts 13:1-5
• 31 May. Acts 13:4-12
• 1 June Acts 13:13
• 2 June. Acts 13:14-52
• 3 June. Acts 14:1-7
• 4 June. Acts 14:8-20
• 5 June. Acts 14:21-28
• 6 June. Acts 15:1-20
• 7 June. Acts 15:22-35
• 8 June. Acts 15:36-16:5
• 9 June. Acts 16:6-8
• 10 June. Acts 16:9-10
• 11 June. Acts 16:13-15
• 12 June. Acts 16:16-24
• 13 June. Acts 16:25-34
• 14 June. Acts 16:35-40
• 15 June. Acts 17:1
• 16 June. Acts 17:1-9
• 17 June. Acts 17:10-15
• 18 June. Acts 17:16-33
• 19 June. Acts 18:1-11
• 20 June. Acts 18:12-17
• 21 June. Acts 18:18-23
• 22 June. Acts 18:24-28
• 23 June. Acts 19:1-7
• 24 June. Acts 19:8-10
• 25 June. Acts 19:11-20
• 26 June. Acts 19:23-20:1
• 27 June. Acts 20:1-3
• 28 June. Acts 20:3-6
• 29 June. Acts 20:7-12
• 30 June. Acts 20:13-38
• 1 July Acts 21:1-7
• 2 July Acts 21:7-15
• 3 July Acts 21:17-26
• 4 July Acts 21:27-40
• 5 July Acts 22:1-29
• 6 July Acts 22:30-23:11
• 7 July Acts 23:12-32
• 8 July Acts 24:1-26
• 9 July Acts 24:27-25:12
• 10 July Acts 25:13-27
• 11 July Acts 26:1-32
• 12 July Acts 27:1-6
• 13 July Acts 27:7-20
• 14 July Acts 27:21-44
• 15 July Acts 28:1-10
• 16 July Acts 28:11-31
• 17 July Colossians 4:2-17
• 18 July 2 Peter 1:1-2,3:1-16
• 19 July Galatians 1:1-24
• 20 July Galatians 2:1-10
• 21 July Galatians 3:1-14
• 22 July Galatians 3:19-29
• 23 July Galatians 4:1-31
• 24 July Galatians 5:16-25,6:1-18
• 25 July 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• 26 July 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
• 27 July 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
• 28 July 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
• 29 July 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
• 30 July 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
• 31 July 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
• 1 Aug. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-15
• 2 Aug. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
• 3 Aug. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
• 4 Aug. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
• 5 Aug. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
• 6 Aug. 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
• 7 Aug. 1 Corinthians 3:1-23
• 8 Aug. 1 Corinthians 4:1-17
• 9 Aug. 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
• 10 Aug. 1 Corinthians 7:1-16
• 11 Aug. 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
• 12 Aug. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17,11:20-34
• 13 Aug. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
• 14 Aug. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
• 15 Aug. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
• 16 Aug. 1 Corinthians 14:1-25
• 17 Aug. 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
• 18 Aug. 1 Corinthians 15:1-26
• 19 Aug. 1 Corinthians 15:35-55
• 20 Aug. 1 Corinthians 16:1-24
• 21 Aug. 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
• 22 Aug. 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
• 23 Aug. 2 Corinthians 3:5-18
• 24 Aug. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
• 25 Aug. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
• 26 Aug. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
• 27 Aug. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
• 28 Aug. 2 Corinthians 6:1-18,7:1
• 29 Aug. 2 Corinthians 8:1-12
• 30 Aug. 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
• 31 Aug. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
• 1 Sept. 2 Corinthians 13:5-14
• 2 Sept. Romans 1:1-7
• 3 Sept. Romans 1:18-32
• 4 Sept. Romans 2:1-11
• 5 Sept. Romans 3:19-31
• 6 Sept. Romans 4:1-16
• 7 Sept. Romans 5:1-11
• 8 Sept. Romans 6:1-14
• 9 Sept. Romans 7:1-6
• 10 Sept. Romans 8:5-17
• 11 Sept. Romans 8:18-30
• 12 Sept. Romans 8:31-39
• 13 Sept. Romans 10:1-13
• 14 Sept. Romans 12:1-21
• 15 Sept. Romans 13:1-10
• 16 Sept. Romans 14:1-12
• 17 Sept. Romans 15:1-33
• 18 Sept. Romans 16:1-27
• 19 Sept. Ephesians 1:1-10
• 20 Sept. Ephesians 1:11-22
• 21 Sept. Ephesians 2:1-10
• 22 Sept. Ephesians 2:11-22
• 23 Sept. Ephesians 3:1-13
• 24 Sept. Ephesians 3:14-21
• 25 Sept. Ephesians 4:1-16
• 26 Sept. Ephesians 4:17-32
• 27 Sept. Ephesians 5:1-20
• 28 Sept. Ephesians 5:21-33
• 29 Sept. Ephesians 6:1-9
• 30 Sept. Ephesians 6:10-18
• 1 Oct. Ephesians 6:18-24
• 2 Oct. Colossians 1:1-14
• 3 Oct. Colossians 1:15-23
• 4 Oct. Colossians 2:1-15
• 5 Oct. Colossians 2:16-23
• 6 Oct. Colossians 3:1-17
• 7 Oct. Colossians 3:18-4:6
• 8 Oct. Colossians 4:7-18
• 9 Oct. Philemon 1:1-7
• 10 Oct. Philemon 1:7-25
• 11 Oct. Philippians 1:1-11
• 12 Oct. Philippians 1:12-26
• 13 Oct. Philippians 2:1-18
• 14 Oct. Philippians 3:1-21
• 15 Oct. Philippians 4:1-23
• 16 Oct. 1 Timothy 1:1-7
• 17 Oct. 1 Timothy 1:12-20
• 18 Oct. 1 Timothy 2:1-15
• 19 Oct. 1 Timothy 3:1-13
• 20 Oct. 1 Timothy 4:1-16
• 21 Oct. 1 Timothy 5:1-22
• 22 Oct. 1 Timothy 6:3-21
• 23 Oct. Titus 1:1-14
• 24 Oct. Titus 2:1-15
• 25 Oct. Titus 3:1-15
• 26 Oct. 2 Timothy 1:1-18
• 27 Oct. 2 Timothy 2:1-26
• 28 Oct. 2 Timothy 3:1-17
• 29 Oct. 2 Timothy 4:6-22
• 30 Oct. James 1:1-21
• 31 Oct. James 2:14-19,4:11-12
• 1 Nov. Jude 1:1-24
• 2 Nov. 1 Peter 1:1-11
• 3 Nov. 1 Peter 2:1-10
• 4 Nov. 2 Peter 1:1-19
• 5 Nov. 2 Peter 3:1-16
• 6 Nov. 1 John 1:5-9
• 7 Nov. 1 John 1:1-4
• 8 Nov. 1 John 2:7-17
• 9 Nov. 1 John 2:18-19
• 10 Nov. 1 John 2:20-29
• 11 Nov. 1 John 3:11-24
• 12 Nov. 1 John 4:7-20
• 13 Nov. 2 John 1:1-13
• 14 Nov. 3 John 1:1-15
• 15 Nov. Revelation 1:1-11
• 16 Nov. Revelation 2:1-7
• 17 Nov. Revelation 2:8-11
• 18 Nov. Revelation 2:12-17
• 19 Nov. Revelation 2:18-27
• 20 Nov. Revelation 3:1-6
• 21 Nov. Revelation 3:7-13
• 22 Nov. Revelation 3:14-22
• 23 Nov. Revelation 4:1-11
• 24 Nov. Revelation 5:1-14
• 25 Nov. Revelation 6:1-17
• 26 Nov. Revelation 7:1-17
• 27 Nov. Revelation 12:1-9
• 28 Nov. Revelation 17:1-18:19
• 29 Nov. Revelation 20:1-15
• 30 Nov. Revelation 21:1-27
• 1 Dec. Luke 1:5-20
• 2 Dec. Luke 1:26,39-56
• 3 Dec. Luke 1:57-80
• 4 Dec. Luke 3:1-16
• 5 Dec. Luke 3:15-20
• 6 Dec. Mark 1:1-8
• 7 Dec. Matt 3:13-17, John 1:28-34
• 8 Dec. Mark 6:14-29
• 9 Dec. Matthew 11:2-15
• 10 Dec. Luke 1:26-38
• 11 Dec. Luke 2:1-5
• 12 Dec. Luke 2:6-7
• 13 Dec. Matthew 1:1-17,22-23
• 14 Dec. Luke 2:8-14
• 15 Dec. Luke 2:15-20
• 16 Dec. Luke 2:21-24
• 17 Dec. Luke 2:25-35
• 18 Dec. Matthew 2:1-6
• 19 Dec. Matthew 2:7-9
• 20 Dec. Matthew 2:10-12
• 21 Dec. Matthew 2:13-14
• 22 Dec. Matthew 2:14-15
• 23 Dec. Matthew 2:16-18
• 24 Dec. Matthew 2:19-23
• 25 Dec. John 1:1-14
• 26 Dec. Luke 2:40-43
• 27 Dec. Luke 2:43-52
• 28 Dec. Hebrews 1:1-4
• 29 Dec. Hebrews 3:1-4:1
• 30 Dec. Hebrews 4:14-5:6
• 31 Dec. Hebrews 9:1-5,11-15
• 1 Jan. Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
• 2 Jan. Genesis 2:4-24
• 3 Jan. Genesis 2:8-17
• 4 Jan. Genesis 3:1-23
• 5 Jan. Genesis 4:1-16
• 6 Jan. Genesis 4:17-26
• 7 Jan. Genesis 6:5-22
• 8 Jan. Genesis 7:11-24
• 9 Jan. Genesis 8:1-17
• 10 Jan. Genesis 9:1-16
• 11 Jan. Genesis 10:11-12,32
• 12 Jan. Genesis 11:1-9
• 13 Jan. Genesis 11:27&37,12:1-7
• 14 Jan. Genesis 12:6,8-20
• 15 Jan. Genesis 13:1-18
• 16 Jan. Genesis 14:8-20
• 17 Jan. Genesis 15:1-11,17-21
• 18 Jan. Genesis 16:1-16
• 19 Jan. Genesis 17:1-16
• 20 Jan. Genesis 18:1-16
• 21 Jan. Genesis 19:1-26
• 22 Jan. Genesis 21:1-21
• 23 Jan. Genesis 22:1-18
• 24 Jan. Genesis 23:1-19
• 25 Jan. Genesis 24:1-61
• 26 Jan. Genesis 24:61-67
• 27 Jan. Genesis 25:1-11
• 28 Jan. Genesis 25:19-21,24-34
• 29 Jan. Genesis 26:1-9,12-15,23-25
• 30 Jan. Genesis 27:1-23,30-33,42-45
• 31 Jan. Genesis 28:10-22
• 1 Feb. Genesis 29:1-30
• 2 Feb. Genesis 29:31-35,30:1-12,17-24
• 3 Feb. Genesis 30:25-43
• 4 Feb. Genesis 31:1-21
• 5 Feb. Genesis 31:25-55
• 6 Feb. Genesis 32:1-8,13,22-30
• 7 Feb. Genesis 33:1-11
• 8 Feb. Genesis 33:12-20
• 9 Feb. Genesis 35:1-7
• 10 Feb. Genesis 35:9-15
• 11 Feb. Genesis 35:16-21,27-29
• 12 Feb. Genesis 37:1-11
• 13 Feb. Genesis 37:12-24
• 14 Feb. Genesis 37:25-34
• 15 Feb. Genesis 39:1-6
• 16 Feb. Genesis 39:6-22
• 17 Feb. Genesis 40:1-23
• 18 Feb. Genesis 41:1-14
• 19 Feb. Genesis 41:15-37
• 20 Feb. Genesis 41:39-57
• 21 Feb. Genesis 42:1-38
• 22 Feb. Genesis 43:1-33
• 23 Feb. Genesis 45:1-28
• 24 Feb. Genesis 46:1-7,28-30
• 25 Feb. Genesis 47:1-7,11-12,27-31
• 26 Feb. Genesis 50:1-26
• 27 Feb. Exodus 1:1-14
• 28 Feb. Exodus 1:15-22
• 1 Mar. Exodus 2:1-10
• 2 Mar. Exodus 2:11-15
• 3 Mar. Exodus 2:16-22
• 4 Mar. Exodus 3:1-10
• 5 Mar. Exodus 3:11-20
• 6 Mar. Exodus 4:1-17
• 7 Mar. Exodus 4:18-31
• 8 Mar. Exodus 5:1-21
• 9 Mar. Exodus 5:22-6:9
• 10 Mar. Exodus 7:14-21
• 11 Mar. Exodus 11:1-10
• 12 Mar. Exodus 12:1-17
• 13 Mar. Exodus 12:21-30
• 14 Mar. Exodus 12:29-40
• 15 Mar. Exodus 13:17-14:4
• 16 Mar. Exodus 14:5-31
• 17 Mar. Exodus 15:1-27
• 18 Mar. Exodus 16:1-18,31
• 19 Mar. Exodus 17:1-7
• 20 Mar. Exodus 17:8-16
• 21 Mar. Exodus 18:1-27
• 22 Mar. Exodus 19:1-11,14-19
• 23 Mar. Exodus 20:1-20
• 24 Mar. Exodus 21:1-23:17
• 25 Mar. Exodus 24:12-18
• 26 Mar. Exodus 25:1-26,33
• 27 Mar. Exodus 32:1-20
• 28 Mar. Exodus 32:21-35
• 29 Mar. Exodus 34:1-22,27-29
• 30 Mar. Exodus 40:1-21,33-36
• 31 Mar. Leviticus 1;1-14:4
• 1 Apr. Numbers 1:1-2:34
• 2 Apr. Numbers 10:11-11:35
• 3 Apr. Numbers 12:1-16
• 4 Apr. Numbers 13:1-33
• 5 Apr. Numbers 14:1-38
• 6 Apr. Numbers 14:41-45
• 7 Apr. Numbers 16:1-40
• 8 Apr. Numbers 16:41-17:11
• 9 Apr. Numbers 20:1-13
• 10 Apr. Numbers 20:14-21:4
• 11 Apr. Numbers 21:4-9
• 12 Apr. Numbers 21:10-20
• 13 Apr. Numbers 21:21-35
• 14 Apr. Numbers 22:1-24:25
• 15 Apr. Numbers 25:1-18
• 16 Apr. Numbers 26:1-65
• 17 Apr. Numbers 27:12-23
• 18 Apr. Numbers 31:1-16,25-31
• 19 Apr. Numbers 32:1-38
• 20 Apr. Numbers 34:1-18,35:1-12
• 21 Apr. Deuteronomy 8:1-11
• 22 Apr. Deuteronomy 34:1-12
• 23 Apr. Joshua 1:1-18
• 24 Apr. Joshua 2:1-24
• 25 Apr. Joshua 3:1-17
• 26 Apr. Joshua 4:1-24,5:1
• 27 Apr. Joshua 6:1-27
• 28 Apr. Joshua 7:1-26
• 29 Apr. Joshua 8:1-29
• 30 Apr. Joshua 8:30-35
• 1 May. Joshua 9:1-27
• 2 May. Joshua 10:1-28
• 3 May. Joshua 10:29-43
• 4 May. Joshua 11:1-14
• 5 May. Joshua 13:1-8,14:1-4,18:1
• 6 May. Joshua 20:1-9
• 7 May. Joshua 22:1-16,21,28,30-34
• 8 May. Joshua 23:1-16,24:14-16,22-27
• 9 May. Joshua 24:29-33
• 10 May. Judges 1:1-11,17-19
• 11 May. Judges 2:1-5,10-15
• 12 May. Judges 2:16-23
• 13 May. Judges 3:5-11
• 14 May. Judges 3:12-30
• 15 May. Judges 4:1-24,5:31
• 16 May. Judges 6:1-27
• 17 May. Judges 6:33-40
• 18 May. Judges 7:1-25
• 19 May. Judges 8:4-28
• 20 May. Judges 8:29-9:21
• 21 May. Judges 9:22-49
• 22 May. Judges 9:50-57
• 23 May. Judges 10:1-16
• 24 May. Judges 10:17-11:33
• 25 May. Judges 11:30-31,34-40
• 26 May. Judges 12:1-6
• 27 May. Judges 12:7-15,13:1
• 28 May. Judges 13:2-25
• 29 May. Judges 14:1-11
• 30 May. Judges 14:12-20
• 31 May. Judges 15:1-8
• 1 June Judges 15:9-20
• 2 June Judges 16:1-3
• 3 June Judges 16:4-15
• 4 June Judges 16:16-31
• 5 June Judges 17:1-13
• 6 June Judges 18:1-31
• 7 June Judges 19:1-30
• 8 June Judges 20:1-48
• 9 June Judges 21:1-23
• 10 June Job 1:1-22
• 11 June Job 2:1-13
• 12 June Job 3:11-13:8
• 13 June Job 38:1-42:17
• 14 June Ruth 1:1-22
• 15 June Ruth 2:1-23
• 16 June Ruth 3:1-18
• 17 June Ruth 4:1-17
• 18 June 1 Samuel 1:1-20
• 19 June 1 Samuel 1:21-2:2
• 20 June 1 Samuel 2:11-12,18-26
• 21 June 1 Samuel 3:1-21
• 22 June 1 Samuel 4:1-18
• 23 June 1 Samuel 5:1-12
• 24 June 1 Samuel 6:1-21,7:1
• 25 June 1 Samuel 7:2-17
• 26 June 1 Samuel 8:1-22
• 27 June 1 Samuel 9:1-27,10:1
• 28 June 1 Samuel 10:1-11
• 29 June 1 Samuel 10:13-25
• 30 June 1 Samuel 11:1-15
• 1 July 1 Samuel 12:1-25
• 2 July 1 Samuel 13:2-7
• 3 July 1 Samuel 13:8-15
• 4 July 1 Samuel 14:1-23
• 5 July 1 Samuel 14:24-46
• 6 July 1 Samuel 14:47-15:9
• 7 July 1 Samuel 15:10-31
• 8 July 1 Samuel 16:1-13
• 9 July 1 Samuel 16:14-23
• 10 July 1 Samuel 17:1-52
• 11 July 1 Samuel 17:57-58,18:1-16
• 12 July 1 Samuel 18:17-29
• 13 July 1 Samuel 19:1-18
• 14 July 1 Samuel 20:1-47
• 15 July 1 Samuel 21:1-9
• 16 July 1 Samuel 21:10-11,22:1-5
• 17 July 1 Samuel 22:6-19
• 18 July 1 Samuel 23:1-13
• 19 July 1 Samuel 24:1-22
• 20 July 1 Samuel 25:1-44
• 21 July 1 Samuel 26:1-25
• 22 July 1 Samuel 27:1-12
• 23 July 1 Samuel 28:1-20
• 24 July 1 Samuel 29:1-11
• 25 July 1 Samuel 30:1-31
• 26 July 1 Samuel 31:1-13
• 27 July 2 Samuel 1:1-16
• 28 July 2 Samuel 2:1-7
• 29 July 2 Samuel 2:8-17
• 30 July 2 Samuel 3:1,6-21
• 31 July 2 Samuel 3:22-32
• 1 Aug. 2 Samuel 4:1-12
• 2 Aug. 2 Samuel 5:1-12
• 3 Aug. 2 Samuel 5:17-25
• 4 Aug. 2 Samuel 6:1-23
• 5 Aug. 2 Samuel 7:1-17
• 6 Aug. 2 Samuel 8:1-14
• 7 Aug. 2 Samuel 9:1-13
• 8 Aug. 2 Samuel 10:1-14
• 9 Aug. 2 Samuel 11:1-17,26-27
• 10 Aug. 2 Samuel 12:1-18
• 11 Aug. 2 Samuel 12:24-31
• 12 Aug. 2 Samuel 13:1-39
• 13 Aug. 2 Samuel 14:21-33
• 14 Aug. 2 Samuel 15:1-12
• 15 Aug. 2 Samuel 15:13-37
• 16 Aug. 2 Samuel 16:1-22
• 17 Aug. 2 Samuel 17:1-29
• 18 Aug. 2 Samuel 18:1-33
• 19 Aug. 2 Samuel 19:1-18
• 20 Aug. 1 Kings 1:5-27
• 21 Aug. 1 Kings 1:28-53
• 22 Aug. 1 Kings 2:1-12
• 23 Aug. 1 Kings 2:13-46
• 24 Aug. 1 Kings 3:1-15
• 25 Aug. 1 Kings 3:16-28
• 26 Aug. 1 Kings 4:7,20-34
• 27 Aug. 1 Kings 5:1-18
• 28 Aug. 1 Kings 6:1-22,38
• 29 Aug. 1 Kings 7:1-12
• 30 Aug. 1 Kings 7:13-30,37-38,45-46
• 31 Aug. 1 Kings 8:1-11
• 1 Sept. 1 Kings 8:22-34,54-57,62-63
• 2 Sept. 1 Kings 9:1-9
• 3 Sept. 1 Kings 10:1-10,13
• 4 Sept. 1 Kings 11:1-13
• 5 Sept. 1 Kings 11:14-40
• 6 Sept. 1 Kings 11:42-12:20
• 7 Sept. 1 Kings 12:25-33
• 8 Sept. 1 Kings 14:1-20
• 9 Sept. 1 Kings 14:21-31
• 10 Sept. 1 Kings 15:1-16
• 11 Sept. 1 Kings 15:25-29,17-24
• 12 Sept. 1 Kings 16:1-22
• 13 Sept. 1 Kings 16:23-28
• 14 Sept. 1 Kings 16:29-33
• 15 Sept. 1 Kings 17:1-16
• 16 Sept. 1 Kings 17:17-24
• 17 Sept. 1 Kings 18:1-9,15-21
• 18 Sept. 1 Kings 18:22-40
• 19 Sept. 1 Kings 18:41-46
• 20 Sept. 1 Kings 19:1-18
• 21 Sept. 1 Kings 19:19-21
• 22 Sept. 1 Kings 20:1-22
• 23 Sept. 1 Kings 21:1-16
• 24 Sept. 1 Kings 21:17-29
• 25 Sept. 1 Kings 22:1-40
• 26 Sept. 2 Kings 1:1-18
• 27 Sept. 2 Kings 2:1-15
• 28 Sept. 2 Kings 3:1-27
• 29 Sept. 2 Kings 2:19-22,4:1-7
• 30 Sept. 2 Kings 4:8-37
• 1 Oct. 2 Kings 4:38-44
• 2 Oct. 2 Kings 5:1-15
• 3 Oct. 2 Kings 6:8-23
• 4 Oct. 2 Kings 8:7-15
• 5 Oct. 2 Kings 9:1-25
• 6 Oct. 2 Kings 9:30-37
• 7 Oct. 2 Kings 12:1-12
• 8 Oct. 2 Kings 13:1-9
• 9 Oct. 2 Kings 13:14-21
• 10 Oct. 2 Kings 14:23-29
• 11 Oct. 2 Kings 15:19-20,16:15-18
• 12 Oct. 2 Kings 17:1-18
• 13 Oct. 2 Kings 17:24-34
• 14 Oct. 2 Kings 18:1-8
• 15 Oct. 2 Kings 18:13-21,28-31,36
• 16 Oct. 2 Kings 19:1-10,19-20,32-36
• 17 Oct. 2 Kings 20:1-11
• 18 Oct. 2 Kings 20:12-21
• 19 Oct. 2 Kings 22:1-13
• 20 Oct. 2 Kings 23:1-4,8-11,21-25
• 21 Oct. 2 Kings 23:29-37
• 22 Oct. 2 Kings 24:1-7
• 23 Oct. 2 Kings 24:8-18
• 24 Oct. 2 Kings 25:1-21
• 25 Oct. Daniel 1:1-17
• 26 Oct. Daniel 3:9-15,19-20,24-30
• 27 Oct. Daniel 5:1-13,16-18,20-31
• 28 Oct. Daniel 6:1-11,16-17,19-23
• 29 Oct. Daniel 7:1-9,11-14,16-18
• 30 Oct. Daniel 11:1-9
• 31 Oct. Daniel 12:1-13
• 1 Nov. Ezra 1:1-11
• 2 Nov. Ezra 2:1-70
• 3 Nov. Ezra 3:1-13
• 4 Nov. Ezra 4:1-13,19-21
• 5 Nov. Ezra 5:1-9,6:1-4.13-22
• 6 Nov. Ezra 7:1-6,11-23,8:31-36
• 7 Nov. Nehemiah 1:1-4,2:1-10
• 8 Nov. Nehemiah 2:11-20
• 9 Nov. Nehemiah 4:1-23
• 10 Nov. Nehemiah 5:1-16,6:1-3,15-16
• 11 Nov. Nehemiah 8:1-12
• 12 Nov. Nehemiah 12:27-43
• 13 Nov. Esther 2:1-18
• 14 Nov. Esther 2:19-23
• 15 Nov. Esther 3:1-13
• 16 Nov. Esther 4:1-16
• 17 Nov. Esther 5:1-14
• 18 Nov. Esther 6:1-14
• 19 Nov. Esther 7:1-10
• 20 Nov. Esther 8:1-14
• 21 Nov. Esther 9:1-17,24-28
• 22 Nov. Amos 1:1-15,2:1-2
• 23 Nov. Amos 5:1-7,10-15
• 24 Nov. Hosea 1:1-11
• 25 Nov. Hosea 9:1-9
• 26 Nov. Micah 1:1-9
• 27 Nov. Micah 4:1-5,5:1-5
• 28 Nov. Isaiah 1:1-7,11-20
• 29 Nov. Isaiah 7:1-17,8:3-4
• 30 Nov. Isaiah 9:1-7
• 1 Dec. Isaiah 10:28-34,11:1-10
• 2 Dec. Isaiah 40:1-11
• 3 Dec. Isaiah 44:1-11
• 4 Dec. Isaiah 45:1-7,13-17
• 5 Dec. Isaiah 52:13-15,53:1-12
• 6 Dec. Isaiah 60:1-14
• 7 Dec. Nahum 2:1-13
• 8 Dec. Jeremiah 6:1-8,13-23
• 9 Dec. Jeremiah 7:1-11
• 10 Dec. Jeremiah 18:1-12
• 11 Dec. Jeremiah 19:1-13
• 12 Dec. Jeremiah 23:1-8
• 13 Dec. Jeremiah 26:1-15
• 14 Dec. Jeremiah 29:1-12
• 15 Dec. Zephaniah 1:1-13
• 16 Dec. Habakkuk 1:1-13
• 17 Dec. Ezekiel 1:1-17,22-28
• 18 Dec. Ezekiel 10:1-19,11:22-24
• 19 Dec. Ezekiel 17:1-10
• 20 Dec. Ezekiel 33:21-26,34:1-24
• 21 Dec. Ezekiel 37:1-14
• 22 Dec. Ezekiel 40:1-31
• 23 Dec. Ezekiel 43:1-12
• 24 Dec. Obadiah 1:1-11
• 25 Dec. Haggai 1:1-15
• 26 Dec. Zechariah 1:1-6
• 27 Dec. Zechariah 9:9-17
• 28 Dec. Zechariah 14:1-11
• 29 Dec. Malachi 3:1-5,4:1-6
• 30 Dec. Joel 2:1-11
• 31 Dec. Joel 2:25-32
• Bible Journey 1
• 1. The World of the New Testament Journeys
• 2. John the Baptist's Journeys
• 3. Jesus's Childhood Journeys
• 4. Jesus's Journeys around Galilee
• 5. Jesus's Journeys beyond Galilee
• 6. Jesus's Last Journey to Jerusalem
• 7. Journeys of Jesus's Followers
• 8. Paul's Journey to Damascus
• 9. Paul's Journey to Cyprus, Pamphylia & Galatia
• 10. Paul's Journey to Phrygia, Macedonia & Archaia
• 11. Paul's Journey to Ephesus, Philippi & Corinth
• 12. Paul's Journey to Rome
• 13. Paul's Letters to Galatia & Thessalonica
• 14. Paul's Letters to Corinth & Rome
• 15. Paul's Letters to Ephesus, Colossae & Philippi
• 16. Paul's Letters to Timothy & Titus
• 17. The Letter to the Jewish believers in Antioch
• 18. Letters from James, Jude & Peter
• 19. John's Letters to the believers in Asia Minor
• 20. John's Revelation to the 7 Churches of Asia
• 21. The Romano-Jewish world of the New Testament

Lk. 2:9-20   Angels appear to the shepherds in the fields near to Bethlehem, and they go to see the baby Jesus. Afterwards, they praise God and everyone they meet is amazed by what they have been told about the child.

                Beit Sahur

Luke tells us that an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem , and “The glory of the Lord was shining around them” (Luke 2:9). In the Old Testament, the glory of the Lord (‘kabod’ in the Hebrew scriptures, ‘doxa’ in the ‘Septuagint’ – the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) signified the radiant, shining presence of God himself (also called the ‘Shekinah’).

"And the glory of the Lord shone round about them”   (Luke 2:9)

The glory of the Lord appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 24:16), and filled the tabernacle – the tent where the Ark of the Covenant was kept (see Exodus 40:34-35). God’s glory filled the Temple in Jerusalem when the Ark of the Covenant was moved there (see 1 Kings 8:11). But in Ezekiel’s prophetic vision, the glory and dazzling radiance of God’s holy presence (the ‘Shekinah’) left the Temple just before its destruction by King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC (see Ezekiel 10:18-19).

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem , the radiant, shining presence of God re-appeared on earth again. God’s personal presence was shown by the glory of the Lord ( Greek , ‘doxa’) appearing to the shepherds in the fields on the hillside outside Bethlehem . Today, sheep are still reared on the steep hillsides known as the Shepherds’ Fields outside the village of Beit Sahur near Bethlehem.

The Shepherds’ Fields outside the village of Beit Sahur near Bethlehem

Ever since emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire in 380AD, Jesus’s birthday has been celebrated in late December (or early in January in the eastern Orthodox churches), but no-one knows precisely when he was actually born. Before Christmas Day replaced the Roman mid-winter festival of the ‘Unconquered Sun’ on 25 th December, the 3 rd century Christian historian, Sextus Julius Africanus, who devised one of the first Biblical chronologies, believed that Jesus was born on 25 th March.

Traditionally in Palestine , sheep were only kept out of doors overnight during the warmer months from March or April to November. The local sheep were not hardy enough to be left outside during the cold winter nights of December. So it’s more likely that Jesus was born between March and November. If the shepherds to whom the angels appeared were on their way to Jerusalem with sacrificial lambs for the Passover festival, then it’s quite possible that Jesus was actually born in March or April, just before the Jewish Passover festival. 

Visitors to the Shepherds’ Fields at Beit Sahur are welcomed at two churches, both claiming to be the site of the angelic visitation. The modern Greek Orthodox church at Kenisat er-Ruwat was erected on the site of a 5 th century church, rebuilt in the 7 th century, and again in the 14 th century. An early mosaic floor shows that the cave underlying this church was revered as the resting-place of the shepherds as early as the 4 th century AD. The Franciscan church built at Khirbet Siyr el-Ghanem in 1954 is on the site of a 4 th century monastery.

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52. Shepherds Visit Jesus

Lesson prep, background scripture (read 2-3 times during the week).

Luke 1-2:21

Story Summary

The shepherds were considered to be among the lowest levels of society, so why did God choose them to be the first to know of the birth of the messiah? 

There are approximately 1,500 years between the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and the establishment of the Passover to the time when Jesus Christ was born. So for 1,500 years, shepherds played a key role in God’s plan to provide enough lambs, year-old males, without defect, so that all Israelite families could remember the Passover and worship God according to His will. 

There would be no more need to slaughter lambs from the flock year after year to secure God’s favor and forgiveness of sin. The once-for-all Lamb of God has arrived.

The shepherds were visited by an angel of the Lord and were the first to see and worship the Lamb of God. The significance of the Lamb of God being born would not be lost on the shepherds. 

Once again, angels are prominent in this story. A single angel appeared to them at first, and once again, they were terrified at first.  After the angel calms them down and gives them the message that the savior had been born, a large crowd of angels appeared, praising God. What a sight that must have been!

The story also points out the effect this event had on Mary. The shepherds relayed this whole story to Mary, and after they left, she was greatly effected by it. She "kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over." What must it have been like to be Mary, trying to process through everything that was happening to her?

What You Will Need

Video options.

From Saddleback Kids

From Crossroads Kids Club

Resource Sheets

Use this for the "Angel Garland" reinforcement activity below.

This coloring sheet depicts the angel appearing to the shepherds, announcing Jesus' birth

1. Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged

If you have a shepherd's staff or lambs wool, show that to the children. Ask them if they know what they are.

What is the worst job they could imagine having? Have you ever been to a farm or ever seen a sheep? Today we are going to learn about some men who had one of the lowest jobs during the time Jesus was born. Their job was to watch over sheep out in the fields. But God chose to give them a very important message about Jesus and a savior being born.

2. Teach the Story teach a holistic story

Older students can be read directly from the Bible, since the story is short. 

The youngest students can be told the story from a children's storybook Bible .

3. Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills

Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud Luke 2:8-20

4. Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story

First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?

• When did the angels appear to the shepherds?
• How did the shepherds respond when the angel appeared?
• They were terrified
• What did the angel say in response to their fears?
• Do not be afraid
• What did the angels tell the shepherds?
• A savior had been born in the town of David
• Where did the shepherds go after the angels went back to heaven?
• What did they find when they got to Bethlehem?
• Mary and Joseph with Jesus
• What is a manger?
• Feeding trough for animals

5. Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer

• The shepherds were some of the first people to be told that Jesus was the messiah, the Son of God.
• Now, over 2000 years ago, do you know that Jesus is that messiah, the Son of God, the lamb who came to take away our sins?

6. Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart

Reinforcement activities, pipe cleaner candy cane, activity instructions.

• Early versions of the shepherd's crook were carved from wood or horn.
• The staff was used to help the shepherds, as they walked across rough terrain.
• It was also used to pull the sheep back, if they stray from the fold (group).
• Twist pipe cleaners together and bend over top to make a shepherd's crook.

Toilet Paper Sheep

• Bend a black pipe cleaner in half and attach it to the bottom of a toilet paper roll for legs.
• Repeat to make another set of legs for the sheep.
• Cut a 1 1/2-2 inch circle from white paper.
• Allow students to draw a face.
• Glue sheep face to the front of the toilet paper roll.
• Attach cotton balls all around the toilet paper roll.

Sheep and Shepherds game

• Count off into two equal teams
• One team will be the sheep and the other the wolves.
• Choose one person to be the shepherd.
• Designate one area in the room to be for the sheep and another for the wolves.
• The shepherd has to catch the sheep and wolves (by tagging them) and escort them to their side of the room to separate them.
• The sheep and wolves try to stay away from the shepherd and not get caught.
• Once a sheep or wolf are caught, they must stay in their designated area.
• Game is over when all sheep and wolves are separate.
• If you have a large group of students, you can have more than one shepherd.

Sheep Masks

• Take a white paper plate.
• Cut holes for eyes
• Glue cotton balls on plate to make it look like a sheep
• Attach popsicle sticks to bottom of mask, as a handle.

Angel Garland

• Trace angel pattern
• Fold paper several times
• Cut through multiple layers of paper around the angel.
• Do not cut the hands or they will come apart!
• Open and decorate

Separating Sheep Game

• Use white balloons for sheep and black balloons or wolves.
• Place all the balloons in the center of the floor.
• Have students go through and separate the sheep from the wolves.
• Have a few students trying to throw all the wolves back into the sheep pen.

Understanding Sheep and Shepherds

• A Shepherd is a person who tends, guards and cares for he sheep.
• Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations.
• Sheep were kept for their meat, milk and especially their wool.
• To maintain a large flock, the sheep must be able to move from pasture to pasture; this required the development of an occupation separate from that of the farmer. The duty of shepherds was to keep their flock intact and protect it from wolves and other predators. The shepherd was also to supervise the migration of the flock and ensured they made it to market areas in time for shearing.
• Shepherds were often wage earners, being paid to watch the sheep of others.
• Shepherds also lived apart from society, being largely nomadic.
• Shepherds would normally work in groups either looking after one large flock, or each bringing their own and merging their responsibilities.

Sheep, Wolf and Shepherd Tag Game

• Appoint one child to be the wolf and one to be the shepherd.
• The rest of the children will be sheep.
• Have the sheep stand at one end of the play area, the shepherd at the opposite end, and the wolf in the middle.
• The shepherd calls each of them by name.
• Once they hear their name, they are to try to reach the shepherd, without getting tagged by the wolf.
• If they get tagged, they sit down. If they don't get tagged, they are safe with the shepherd.

Old Testament

•  1. Creation
•  2. Adam & Eve
•  3. Noah
•  4. Tower of Babel

Father Abraham

•  5. Abram's Call
•  6. Abraham, Sarah & Isaac
•  7. Isaac & Rebekah
•  8. Jacob & Esau
•  9. Joseph
•  10. Jacob's family becomes the Israelites
•  11. Baby Moses
•  12. Burning Bush
•  13. Plagues
•  14. Passover: The plague of the firstborn
•  15. The Exodus

In the Desert

•  16. Desert - Manna, Quail & Water from Heaven
•  17. Moses Lifts His Hands to Heaven
•  18. Mount Sinai & Ten Commandments
•  19. The Golden Calf
•  20. Tabernacle & Ark of the Covenant

The Promised Land

•  21. The Land of Canaan & The 12 Spies
•  22. A Talking Donkey
•  23. Rahab
•  24. Joshua & Crossing the Jordan
•  25. Jericho
•  26. Deborah & the Judges
•  27. Gideon
•  28. Samson
•  29. Ruth
•  30. Samuel
•  31. Saul
•  32. David's Anointing & Goliath
•  33. Psalms: David's Songs
•  34. King David
•  35. Solomon & Building the Temple
•  36. Divided Kingdoms
•  37. The Boy King Josiah
•  38. Elijah
•  39. Burning Altar on Mount Carmel
•  40. Elijah & Elisha
•  41. Elisha's Ministry
•  42. Naaman is Healed
•  43. Jonah
•  44. Major & Minor Prophets
•  45. Assyrian & Babylonian Exile
•  46. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
•  47. Daniel
•  48. Esther
•  49. Rebuilding Jerusalem

New Testament

Jesus is born.

•  50. Angels Foretell the Birth of Jesus
•  51. Bethlehem
•  52. Shepherds Visit Jesus
•  53. Wise Men Worship Jesus

Jesus Begins His Ministry

•  54. Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
•  55. John Baptizing
•  56. Jesus Tempted in the Desert
•  57. Jesus Turns Water into Wine
•  58. Jesus Calls His Disciples
•  59. Parable of the Sower
•  60. Parable of the Good Samaritan
•  61. Parable of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
•  62. Parable of the Lost Son
•  63. Parable of the Hidden Treasure & Pearl of Great Price
•  64. A Paralyzed Man is Healed
•  65. Jesus Calms the Storm
•  66. Jesus Feeds the 5000
•  67. Jesus Walks on Water
•  68. A Blind Man Sees
•  69. Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers
•  70. The Transfiguration
•  71. Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

Jesus Ministers

•  72. Nicodemus
•  73. Sermon on the Mount
•  74. Mary & Martha
•  75. Zacchaeus

Preparing for the Crucifixion

•  76. Mary Anoints Jesus with Perfume
•  77. Entry into Jerusalem
•  78. Jesus Clears the Temple
•  79. A Widow's Gift

Crucifixion and Resurrection

•  80. The Last Supper
•  81. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
•  82. Gethsemane
•  83. Crucifixion
•  84. Jesus is Alive!
•  85. Jesus Appears to His Disciples
•  86. The Great Commission

The Early Church

•  87. The First Church
•  88. Peter and John Heal a Crippled Beggar
•  89. Jesus' Followers are Persecuted
•  90. Stephen
•  91. Philip and the Ethiopian

The Church Grows

•  92. Paul's Conversion
•  93. Peter & Cornelius
•  94. Paul's Mission
•  95. Paul & Silas in Prison
•  96. Paul Writes Letters to Churches
•  97. John's Vision of the End Times

Woah, there Nelly!

You should select some Reinforcement Activities to use first before printing!

Start your lesson planning by reading the "Lesson Prep" section about 5 days before you are scheduled to teach.

Background Scripture

While we provide a summary of the story, we strongly encourage you to read the story directly from the Bible from yourself. God's word is powerful (much more powerful than our summary is!) and you should know the story well before you teach it. We encourage you to read the background scripture 2-3 times during the week before teaching.

We provide a "Cliff's Notes" version of the story to help you see the big picture. Also, if you are not using a storybook Bible, you can use this summary as an outline for your own teaching in class.

We place everything you might need to prepare for the actual story telling here (this doesn't include Reinforcement Activity supplies, because we don't know which ones you will choose!). This may include a snack suggestion if there is one that goes well with the story, props you might use in teaching the lesson, and the coloring sheet that goes with each lesson.

This section helps you structure your teaching time.

This is a question that goes along with the story for the day. This is designed to get your kids talking and to build a connection with them.

2. Teach the Story

This is the most important part of the lesson. Use all the creativity you have to tell the story in an engaging, and interesting way. Use props. Be sensitive to the age of your children and tell the story in a way they can understand.

We always encourage you to use a Bible storybook if you have one available ( here is a list of ones we know about )

3. Bible Mastery

If you would like to have your students read out of the Bible themselves, these are good verses to do it. We recommend they do this after you teach the story, however, and certainly not as a substitute for you teaching a holistic story. While it is a good thing that kids get used to reading out loud and reading the Bible for themselves, elementary-aged children do not typically have the reading skills necessary to be able both read out loud and comprehend at the same time. Also, it is difficult for the other students to really understand what they are hearing. So teach the lesson first, then let them read the Scripture out loud.

4. Comprehension Questions

These questions can help you ensure your students understood the story. Also, use this time to take the topic where the students want to go. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to them what truths he wants them to learn from the story, and help them understand how this story can be applied to their lives. Keep in mind that elementary school children are rarely capable of abstract thought, so don't boil it all down to a simplified principle for them. But let the Scripture and the Holy Spirit speak to them and be sensitive to where the conversation can go.

5. Faith Questions

These questions help the children think about how this story applies to their own life today. Keep in mind that only your oldest elementary school children will be able to think in abstract terms, but you can ask some basic questions that will hopefully open up a conversation about what the children believe. By the prompting of the Holy Spirit in response to His Word, you can encourage your children to surrender their lives to God and present the Gospel to them. Also, feel free to share your own faith experiences with them (being careful not to delve into "adult" struggles, like marriage, sexual sin, etc).

6. Memory Verse

We typically include a memory verse every 4 or 5 lessons, so you can work for several weeks on the same verse. Feel free to give out rewards to the students who successfully memorize the Scripture.

Use reinforcement activities to help your students remember the story. These activities are not just crafts and games.

Preparation

Every activity has a Scripture that helps you see the tie-in from the activity to the story. Make sure to help the students see the tie-in so they don't think you are just playing a random game.

What to do when a child asks a question and you don't know the answer

Children naturally have questions. And sometimes, we don't know the answer! Here's what to do*:

• Ask the child to say more about their question.
• Ask them what they think the answer may be. Perhaps they have the right answer and they just need confirmation.
• Pose the question to the whole class and see what discussion ensues.
• If all else fails, tell them that you don't know the answer (this is okay!) and that you will get back to them next week, but only if they will also think about it and do some research during the week as well. For younger students, you might write down their question on a piece of paper and send it home with them. But above all, follow up with the student the next week or at the next opportunity and continue your discussion with your newfound information.

Using Videos

Just wanted to point out here that you should follow all copyright laws when it comes to using videos.

Even if a video is on YouTube, that doesn't mean it is available for you to show in a group setting automatically.

Check with the video publisher for usage restrictions, whether you need to pay for a license to show a video, etc.

We include these videos as options for you to consider and for your own personal study.

• Shepherds keeping watch

There was an interaction between the angels and the shepherds. The shepherds were the first to see Jesus.

The reason why they were there looking after their sheep at night and what the sheep were going to be used for, are interesting matters for discussion.

The shepherds lived in the open looking after their sheep. They all knew their sheep by name, and each animal knew the voice of its shepherd. Flocks were small, approximately ten to twenty sheep.

If the sheep were Temple sheep, as many were around Bethlehem, it makes for a different story. The shepherds were visiting the Lamb born to be slain for the salvation of many. They found Jesus as a newly-born baby (Greek brephos) in a feeding trough.

Background Reading: – The Shepherds and the Angels – The Shepherds Visit Jesus

2:8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 Then the angel told them, “Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. 11 Today your Savior, the Lord Messiah, was born in the City of David. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Luke 2:8-12

2:15 When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds told one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what has taken place that the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 When they saw this, they repeated what they had been told about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 However, Mary continued to treasure all these things in her heart and to ponder them. 20 Then the shepherds returned to their flock, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. Luke 2:15-20

Other slides in this module:

• The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary about the birth of Jesus
• Mary got a visit from the angel Gabriel
• Elizabeth got a visit from Mary
• Mary offered a hymn of praise to God
• An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream
• Joseph goes to Bethlehem
• Mary traveled with Joseph on a donkey
• Jesus a newly born baby
• Angels praised God for the birth of Jesus
• Jesus at 40 days old was taken to the Temple
• Simeon blesses Jesus
• Anna the Prophetess
• Magi traveled from the East to find Jesus
• The visit of the Magi to King Herod
• Magi followed the star to a house
• Jesus as a child in a house
• Joseph takes Jesus and escapes to Egypt
• King Herod the Great plans how to kill Jesus
• The return from Egypt to Nazareth
• Jesus about twelve years old
• The cross is still to come
• Questions and Answers 1-11
• Questions and Answers 12-23
• Timeline for Birth of Jesus – The Christmas Story
• Background Information – Birth of Jesus – The Christmas Story
• Resources – Birth of Jesus
• Next Module – Ministry of Jesus » »

A Pictorial explanation of the Bible

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The shepherds visit the baby Jesus

In this issue:, bible accent: the magi search for jesus, saint for today: st. andre bessette.

The shepherds were not the only people who visited Jesus after he was born.

In Matthew 2, we learn that there were Magi from the East who were searching for the infant Messiah. They saw a star in the sky and followed it in hopes of finding him.

The Magi stopped in Jerusalem to ask the people some questions.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” the Magi wondered. “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

The Magi were told that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, so they continued on their journey.

The star they were following finally came to rest over the house in Bethlehem where the child was.

The Magi were excited. When they entered the house and saw the baby, they prostrated themselves and did him homage. They also gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Every year, Catholics commemorate the Magi’s visit on the feast of the Epiphany. The feast day is Jan. 6, but in the U.S., it is celebrated on the Sunday that falls between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8. In 2018, Epiphany will be celebrated on Jan. 7.

Andre Bessette (1845-1937) was a native of Canada. As a young man, he moved to the United States and worked there for three years.

He returned to Canada in 1870 and joined the Congregation of Holy Cross near Montreal. He performed many different tasks for his community, such as gardening and being a doorman.

He modeled his life after St. Joseph, and he began a healing ministry that was very popular.

He moved into Montreal in 1904 to help his congregation with a building project and lived there the rest of his life. We honor him on Jan. 6.

© 2024 Catholic Courier

Luke 2:8-20 International Standard Version

The shepherds visit jesus.

8  In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night. 9  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10  Then the angel told them, “Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. 11  Today your Savior, the Lord Messiah, [ a ] was born in the City of David. 12  And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

13  Suddenly, a multitude of the Heavenly Army appeared with the angel, praising God by saying, 14  “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!” [ b ]

15  When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds told one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what has taken place that the Lord has told us about.” 16  So they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in the feeding trough. 17  When they saw this, they repeated what they had been told about this child. 18  All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19  However, Mary continued to treasure all these things in her heart and to ponder them. 20  Then the shepherds returned to their flock, [ c ] glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

• Luke 2:11 Or Christ
• Luke 2:14 Other mss. read peace on earth, and favor to people
• Luke 2:20 The Gk. lacks to their flock

Luke 2:8-20 New International Version

8  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9  An angel ( A ) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. ( B ) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11  Today in the town of David a Savior ( C ) has been born to you; he is the Messiah, ( D ) the Lord. ( E ) 12  This will be a sign ( F ) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14  “Glory to God in the highest heaven,      and on earth peace ( G ) 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.”

16  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ( H ) 17  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ( I ) 20  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God ( J ) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Cross references

• Luke 2:9 : S Ac 5:19
• Luke 2:10 : S Mt 14:27
• Luke 2:11 : S Mt 1:21; S Jn 3:17; 4:42; Ac 5:31; 13:23; S Ro 11:14; 1Ti 4:10; 1Jn 4:14
• Luke 2:11 : Mt 1:16; 16:16, 20; Jn 11:27; Ac 2:36; 3:20; S 9:22
• Luke 2:11 : S Jn 13:13
• Luke 2:12 : 1Sa 2:34; 10:7; 2Ki 19:29; Ps 86:17; Isa 7:14
• Luke 2:14 : Isa 9:6; 52:7; 53:5; Mic 5:5; Lk 1:79; S Jn 14:27; Ro 5:1; Eph 2:14, 17
• Luke 2:16 : ver 7
• Luke 2:19 : ver 51
• Luke 2:20 : S Mt 9:8

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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Seeing Jesus the Way the Shepherds Did

“And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. — Luke 2:16–18

Come See the Child

After the angels had appeared to them, the shepherds of Bethlehem ran down the hill to see the baby they had been told about. They came “with haste.” Luke’s account in Luke 2:8–18 ties together a glorious opening of the heavens, the speaking or singing of angels, and some ordinary shepherds who were simply tending their flocks. The utterly supernatural took place in the framework of their natural habitat, and their reaction was simple and human: “We’ve heard about this thing; let’s go see it.” In a profound sense, the act of religious intensity is as natural as any other movement of life. And they went to Bethlehem with haste, obviously because of the reality of the situation that confronted them.

Let us imagine that we are with the shepherds on those hills in Palestine. We have seen and heard the angels, and we have begun to run to Bethlehem. We come bursting into the presence of Mary, Joseph, and the baby, and immediately we wonder: what are we looking at?

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Nancy guthrie.

This redesigned anthology of Advent readings edited by best-selling author Nancy Guthrie, features 22 works by classic and contemporary theologians, each helping to prepare your heart for the sacredness of the Christmas season.

First of all, we are looking at a true baby. He is not an idea or a religious experience. He is a newborn infant who makes noises and cries when he gets hungry. What we are looking at is real, simple, definite, complete. We are looking at a true baby.

There is no reason to think that the baby shows any special manifestations. An artist such as Rembrandt can paint him with light emanating from his body, and if we understand the light as symbolic, it is safe enough. But if we think of it as more than that, it is harmful. There is no halo about the baby’s head. Certainly there is no halo around Mary’s head. What we see is a young Jewish mother, probably seventeen or eighteen years old. She may be pretty or she may not be. We see her husband, and we see a little baby who does not show any marks that would distinguish him from any other infant. And yet this little baby we see lying here is the second person of the Trinity. He himself has been God forever. This baby is God who has taken on flesh.

God So Loves the World

Why did God come into this world? Only the scriptural answer will suffice: the second person of the Trinity has been born because he loves the world.

But why did he come this way, as a little baby? Why did he choose to lie in a manger and be cared for by a human mother, with the sweetness but the utter weakness of a newborn babe? He came this way because he came to meet the central need of men. He did not come to overthrow the Romans, though a lot of the Jews would have loved that. If he had, he would have come riding on a great conquering steed. The central reason he came was not to raise the living standards of the world. Surely if modern man were going to vote on the way he would like a messiah to appear, he would want him loaded down with moneybags from heaven.

He did not come primarily to teach and relieve ignorance—perhaps then he would have come laden with books. An angel had revealed to Joseph the primary task for which he came: “Thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). He is here to cut the nerve of man’s real dilemma, to solve the problem from which all other problems flow. Man is a sinner who needs an overwhelming love. Jesus has come to save his people from their sins.

Many believed in him when he was still an infant, and when they did so the baby became their Savior. The shepherds believed, regardless of the simplicity with which they understood: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them” (Luke 2:20). Though they believed with less understanding than we who have the New Testament, and though we might even think of them as believing within the Old Testament framework as Old Testament saints, they nonetheless did believe, and they will be in heaven with us. They are in the church of Jesus Christ.

But many, I am sure, did not believe. The shepherds must have run into a tremendous dilemma when “they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:17). Luke goes on to tell us that “all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:18), and we cannot doubt that those who wondered must have been split into two camps. Some believed, while others did not. Some must have shrugged their shoulders: “All right, but I don’t need a Savior.”

As we ourselves have run down the hill with the shepherds, looked at the baby, and heard the shepherds’ testimony, have we believed? If we have, that is a happy thing indeed, for it means we are now Christians. That is fine, but then we must ask ourselves: what difference has this looking made in our present lives?

The Difference Christmas Makes

At Christmastime, we set up our Christmas trees and toy trains. We may even walk along singing carols, or we may preach a sermon, but these bits and pieces are barren if we are thinking only of them or even thinking only of being in heaven, and are not stopping to ask ourselves, “What difference does it make in my life now?” What difference has looking made? I think we can approach the answer by thinking about the shepherds. Having had this overwhelming experience in the midst of their normal environment and having believed in the Savior, can we imagine one of the shepherds remarking, “It’s very nice that I’ve seen an angel, and it is nice I have seen the Christ, the Messiah the Jews have been waiting for, for so long. It’s nice that I’ve believed in him (unlike some of the other people in Bethlehem) and that I’m going to be in heaven. But really, in practice, it’s not going to make any difference at all in my life.” This is inconceivable.

Man is a sinner who needs an overwhelming love. Jesus has come to save his people from their sins.

Since the shepherds were much like each one of us, they faced a round of old sins when they returned to life as usual. In the light of their experience of looking at the face of the baby Jesus, in the light of their understanding of that situation, can we imagine them continuing to live in sin as though it were normal, without being sorry and having real repentance? I think not. I would suggest that the shepherds, full of the reality of what they had seen in the heavens and in the manger, would have been sorry for their past sins and even more if they sinned again.

We can imagine a shepherd being jeered at by the first man to whom he told his story, but can we imagine the ridicule stopping him? The shepherd might have been brought up short; successive jeers might have worn him down; but surely, because of the objective reality through which he personally had gone, he would not have been silenced.

While the reality of all this was upon the shepherds, I think prayer would have been an exceedingly simple experience. Communication with God would have become easy because they had seen the supernatural. For if the shepherds heard the angels, why shouldn’t God now hear the shepherds?

God’s Overwhelming Glory

Having seen the glory of the heavenly host, could a shepherd any longer think of himself as the center of the universe, expecting all things to get out of his way? The glory would have been too overwhelming. Facing the glory of heaven, the shepherds of Bethlehem surely would not have thought that they could drive their little cart through all the universe, stamping harshly upon God’s place.

Likewise it is difficult to imagine the shepherds quarreling about personal prerogatives. I cannot imagine being faced with the glory of heaven and the Savior of the world and then immediately saying to someone else, “I’m first, fellow. I’m first.”

After this experience, would the shepherds have accepted materialism as either an adequate philosophy or an adequate practice in life? Wouldn’t looking at the glory of heaven readjust one’s values? I think so. Grasping to have gold jingling in the pockets and angels singing in the heavens do not quite fit together.

The angel had said to 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11). Joy is part of this too. Certainly the shepherds were glad.

This does not mean a stupid kind of happiness or a sick smile, nor does it mean there are no tears or that things in this world are not as bad as God says they are. This joy is connected with the reality of our knowledge of who Jesus is, our relationship with him, and our worship of him.

Imagine you are a shepherd on the hillside, and when the heavenly host appears you are not to be afraid; you are to have joy.

It is the same with all the teaching of the gospel that flows from the event when the shepherds saw and heard the angels, when they ran down the hill and looked upon Jesus. This is the difference it makes in our lives. “And they worshiped him . . . with great joy.”

This article is by Francis A. Schaeffer and is adapted from Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas edited by Nancy Guthrie.

Francis A. Schaeffer (1912–1984) authored more than twenty books, which have been translated into several languages and have sold millions globally. He and his wife, Edith, founded the L’Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers. Recognized internationally for his work in Christianity and culture, Schaeffer passed away in 1984 but his influence and legacy continue worldwide.

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Why Were The Shepherds The First To Know About The Birth Of Jesus?

Table of Contents:

Because heaven was making an announcement: the old system of sacrifice is coming to an end. These shepherds who were raising the sacrificial sheep were being told, “Here is the final sacrifice in the birth of your Savior, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It’s a beautiful picture.” John the Baptist, when Jesus was beginning his earthly ministry, saw Jesus and said, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” God didn’t leave anything to chance.

Who did the shepherd tell about the Savior had been born?

Luke 2 tells us that an angel appeared to some shepherds after Jesus’ birth and told them that the savior had arrived.

Source: https://insider.pureflix.com/prayer-faith/who-were-the-shepherds-5-amazing-details-about-their-nativity-role

This prophecy in the Book of Micah was made approximately 700 years before the birth of Christ and God foretold the Messiah is coming to Bethlehem and not just Bethlehem but in the region of Bethlehem the tower the watchtower of the flock McDole Adair and he said to the shepherds who were part of the sacrificial system your job is coming to an end because I provided the final sacrifice Merry Christmas to you and your family. God bless you, and we’ll talk to you again later.

Q&A – 💬

❓ how did the shepherds know about jesus birth.

There were shepherds taking care of their flocks at night. An angel appeared to them and told them not to be afraid as he brought good news, “This very day in David's town your saviour was born – Christ the Lord!” They would find the baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger.

❓ Why are shepherds important to Jesus?

He provided for them in terms of nourishment and rest .

• He guided them, leading the way.
• He was intimately involved with the flock and concerned for the safety of each individual.
• He was willing to sacrifice his own comfort, even his own life, for the sake of his sheep.

❓ How did the shepherds know to go to Bethlehem?

“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. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

❓ Who were the first to see baby Jesus?

The Shepherds and Angels. Why were the Shepherds the first people to find out about the birth of Jesus? And what an amazing way they found out about it!

References:

• “Why the Nativity?: 25 Compelling Reasons We Celebrate the Birth of Jesus” by David Jeremiah – Tyndale House Publishers, 2021 …before her delivery. For, according to the gospel history, the shepherds receive the first intelligence of the birth of the Saviour own from the angel who appears to them, and who tells them, as a sign of the truth of his communication, that they shall find the babe lying in a manger. Had they already heard from…(view in book) from The Life of Jesus: Critically Examined” by David Friedrich Strauss, George Eliot – Calvin Blanchard, 1856 Q God continued to reveal the news about his Son, but not to those we might expect. Luke records that Jesus’ birth was announced to shepherds in the fields. These may have been the shepherds who supplied the lambs for the Temple sacrifices that were performed for the forgiveness of sin.(view in book) from Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation” by Tyndale, Tyndale House Publishers – Tyndale House Publishers, 2004
• “The Life of Jesus, Critically Examined” by David Friedrich Strauss, George Eliot – Cosimo Classics, 2010
• “The World of Myth: An Anthology” by David Adams Leeming – Oxford University Press, 1991

Related Articles:

• Why Did The Angels Announce Jesus’S Birth To Shepherds? Why Believe In Jesus??
• Why Did God Reveal The Birth Of Jesus To Shepherds?
• Why Did The Angels Appear To Shepherds To Announce Jesus’ Birth?
• What Motivated The Angels To Tell Shepherds Of Jesus Birth?
• Who Were The Shepherds At The Birth Of Jesus
• Who Announced Jesus’ Birth To The Shepherds

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The Shepherds – the First to See Baby Jesus

Topics to dig into.

Check Out What's New

What is God like? Who is this man Jesus? How can we understand the Holy Spirit?

God is present and active in our lives, often working through people and ‘coincidences’. Thank and praise Him!

Following Jesus in today’s world can be challenging. But living according to Jesus’ teaching is incredibly worthwhile. Call it life-changing.

God’s love is unconditional. He knows our hearts and continually invites us into relationship.

Learning about the culture and language of Bible times can reveal new meaning in familiar scriptures. Let’s call them ah-ha moments.

Who were the first to see baby Jesus?

Who would you tell first? It’s the most amazing event in your whole life, in the entire universe! Would you tell your spouse or best friend first or would you post it on social media? Would you celebrate with a random person nearby or the most important person in your life? With whom would you share the good news?

God chose the shepherds (after Mary and Joseph, of course). Only society’s bottom tier heard directly from God’s angel. Shepherds were the youngest or weakest of the family, the crippled, those incapable of other jobs. They lived in the field, perhaps in community with other shepherds. The field was their home which reminds me of those sleeping on the streets, those discarded by society.

Why did God choose these men of low status as the first to see baby Jesus? Why were they his special, most honored ones? They certainly welcomed and spread the good news, but did the town’s people believe? Would we believe?

God hand-selected the shepherds to receive the angelic birth announcement. How does this affect our view of those at the low end of society? ( tweet this )

God always favors the least, the last, and the lost. How are we showing similar honor ?

But perhaps there’s a second reason God chose the shepherds. The lambs used for Temple sacrifices were born and raised outside of Bethlehem. Let’s connect the dots. These shepherds were the first to see nearly every lamb sacrificed in the Temple. How appropriate that they would be the first to see God’s sacrificial lamb!

 #SeedsofScripture #Advent #lambofGod #Jesusiscoming #Christmas #leastlastlost #goodnews

At this darkest time of the year, you might be encouraged by the Light in the world: A Light in Our Darkness Shine Your Light on the Darkest Day Light a Candle for Hope

Have always thought, the angels announced to those shepherds the news of the arrival of the unblemished lamb of God; spotless, blameless, and one of their own, destined to shepherd the world. While I don’t equate the shepherd of that day, with the vagrants and “street people of today, I do join with in that all are deserving of dignity and respect as human beings; something Christ demonstrated by the way He lived His human life. Merry CHRISTmas my dear friend.

I just read that sacrificial lambs were placed in the stone manger to keep them unblemished. The shepherds would certainly understand the meaning of this! God is incredible!

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What is the Significance of the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth?

In Biblical Israel, nomadic shepherds lived a lowly life with their flocks, providing all the care that the sheep needed. They would guide their sheep by day to find food and watch over them at night. Being a shepherd wasn’t just a job but a lifestyle, often lonely and isolated from other people. What is the significance then of the shepherds at Jesus’ birth? Why were they invited and included in the celebration?

 Who Were the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth?

God’s kingdom ways are often contrary to our inclinations and that is nowhere more obvious than at Jesus’ birth. From the humble birthplace of the Messiah and the lack of recognition from His own people. Where were the chief priests and the Jewish religious leaders, those whom you would have expected to be there?

The shepherds at Jesus’ birth were those who were living with their flocks in the fields outside Bethlehem. They were local Jewish men, doing the hard but mundane job that no one else wanted! These shepherds would have been a familiar sight in the countryside, travelling to find fresh pasture and water for their sheep during the day. And at night, often the shepherds would group together for added protection from the danger of attack by wild animals.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” Luke 2:8

Who Announced the Birth of Jesus to the Shepherds?

An angel appeared in the night sky with the bright shining light of the glory of the Lord, to announce and proclaim Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. The sight of an angel, a supernatural appearance, terrified the shepherds. The angel, however, reassured them that the message was one of good news for all people. That day a baby had been born in Bethlehem, who would be a Savior, and He was the promised Messiah.

Why Did the Angels Appear to the Shepherds First?

Scripture reveals an expectation by God that the leaders of the nation would ‘shepherd’ the people well. They would serve to provide for and protect those in their care. Often, they would be rebuked when this was not the case.

The imagery of the Messiah as the ‘Good Shepherd’ and Israel as the sheep appears throughout Old Testament Scripture. God was intentional in sending the announcement of Jesus’ birth to those Israelites who by their occupation represented the role of His Son.

“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. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:9-12

As if this was not enough of a startling sight suddenly a ‘great company of the heavenly host’ appeared praising God and pronouncing a blessing on mankind. Did they sing, was this a choir of angels? That is often the way the angels are represented here, and the words of praise that they expressed have inspired many songs. But, the phrase ‘heavenly host’ is used in Scripture to describe the armies of heaven, a vast company with a powerful pronouncement!

“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 those on whom his favour rests.’” Luke 2:13-14

They declared the beginning of a new era – this is now the time of God’s favor, a time of peace. The armies of heaven appeared to the lowly, the ordinary, the disregarded, the outsiders, drawing them in and making them part of this event – to welcome the Savior of all mankind.

What Did the Shepherds Bring Jesus?

The shepherds did not need any further prompting, as soon as the angels had left, they hurried off to Bethlehem. After meeting Mary and Joseph and seeing Jesus, they had to share with all those they met what they had experienced. They had seen for themselves the fulfilment of God’s word and a promise of hope for the future.

“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.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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.” Luke 2:15-18

The shepherds came to Jesus empty-handed, they had no expensive gifts to bring, but they came to acknowledge Him. All they had to bring was their praise and worship as an offering.  They are a witness to us, because we too come humbly to Jesus empty-handed.

The shepherds had a great story to tell – and they passed it on. We also have a story to tell when we encounter Jesus and the commission to share what we have received with others!

“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 2:19-20

What is The Significance of The Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth?

Jesus’ birth began to reveal the mystery of the gospel . What had been hidden in the Old Testament Scriptures, from the Jewish scholars, was God’s salvation plan to restore all mankind to Himself. The Prophets had hinted, but no one understood fully what God intended…

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

The shepherds represented the people of Israel, invited to come and worship their Messiah. The significance of inviting the shepherds first, those who were overlooked and disregarded by many, hinted at God’s kingdom ways. Those who seek out and acknowledge Jesus are those who are humble and recognize their need for a Savior.

Jesus is the ‘Good Shepherd’ and He came for the salvation of Israel, to reconcile the people to God. But when He was rejected by many of His own, the fulfilment of God’s plan was fully revealed to draw ALL people to Himself.

Related Post: What Was Wise About the Three Wise Men

We have so much to be thankful for as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, that God’s salvation plan includes ‘whoever’ chooses to acknowledge, accept, and follow Jesus! The invitation now goes out to all, our nationality, occupation, and social status, are not relevant – our response is!

“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:12-13

Lord, accept my worship today, the praise and thanksgiving of my heart, as I reflect on your loving-kindness in reconciling me to God. Help me, I pray, to be able to share the good news of your love in word and deed with those whom I meet, and interact with, Amen.

To Bethlehem and Beyond!

The shepherds were the first to hear the good news of the gospel and to share their story with others. A significant story that would reach out and go far beyond Bethlehem!

I have a new daily reading devotional for December, To Bethlehem & Beyond! 31 Daily Readings by Sharon Hazel. It is available, on Amazon, Kindle and Paperback, UK , US.

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8 thoughts on “What is the Significance of the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth?”

I love this! I never thought about why the shepherds were visited first. I’m sharing this!

Thank you Debbie!

I don’t believe the shepherds were local Jewish men doing mundane work. According to the Jewish reference book the “Mishnah”, no one was allowed to tend sheep anywhere but out in the wilderness. However, this location was not in the wilderness. It was nearby the birth of Christ. These shepherds were most likely priests from the synagogue with the responsibility of raising unblemished lambs for temple sacrifice. And how fitting is it that our Lord came to them first to reveal the new and final sacrificial lamb, Jesus Christ?

Bethlehem is approx 5 miles south of Jerusalem and there are two sights today that are identified as ‘the shepherd’s fields’ both about a mile east of the town and near to the Judean wilderness. Thank you for taking the time to respond, you’ve raised an interesting point and I will have to investigate further…

John 10:11-16 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Hello, I am reading this from a country that’s far away from where you are. My whole family are believers and I am joyfully sharing your articles with my sister this afternoon. We were taught that shepherds were the lowliest of the people in that era. I personally have seen modern-day shepherds in the middle east from up close, with my own eyes, and I can confirm that these teachings are true. A shepherd has no house. No closet. No clothes to change. He piles on his back whatever he has and keeps wearing the same for years and years until it becomes unwearable. He cannot bathe and smells of manure. He doesn’t work in the shade of forest trees or tall rocks. He is exposed to the sun or rain all day, and at night it is very cold in that area. He is excluded from any community, indeed he lives in isolation. No one cares about him. I believe it is fitting to the nature of our Father to appear first to the bottom people like them, like us. My sister and I thank the Lord for reminding us the great joy of being saved by his Grace through your message. The joy of having our Lord as shepherd.

I find so much encouragement from those who were invited in to be part of the celebration of the birth of our Lord. The message that this was the beginning of a new era and Jesus would become the Savior of the world brings hope for us all! Thank you for commenting sweet sister and God bless you.

A awesome teaching. I never thought about the news of Jesus’s birth being announced to the lowly in status before being announced to those with means. Blessings

I love the way all the outsiders are drawn into the celebration of Christ’s birth, there is encouragement for everyone there. Blessings to you!

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Shepherds or Wise Men?: The Birth of Jesus

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Memory Verse

“but the angel said to [the shepherds], ‘do not be afraid; for see—i am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of david a savior, who is the messiah, the lord." (luke 2:10-11).

Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-7 (The Annunciation to Mary and the Birth of Jesus) Luke 2:8-20 (The Shepherd’s Visit)   Matthew 1:18-25 (The Annunciation to Joseph and the Birth of Jesus)   Matthew 2:1-12 (The Magi Visit) 

Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-7 (The Annunciation to Mary and the Birth of Jesus) Luke 2:8-20 (The Shepherd’s Visit)

In the passages for this week, we will notice some important distinctions between Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth and that of Matthew. Luke’s story focuses on Mary and shepherds, whereas Matthew’s focus is on Joseph and Magi. One of the key notes of Luke’s Gospel is the favored role that women play throughout the Gospel, beginning with the signal role played by Mary. Mary is declared “favored one” (or in the old translation “full of grace”). Note the number of times that the word “favor” appears in Luke’s stories in these opening chapters. Mary is God’s favored one (1:28), and she has found favor (1:30) with God. But note that God’s favor is not restricted to Mary. It extends to the unlikely as well—the low-life shepherds out in the fields, whom people in Jesus’ day would have regarded as something like the way we regard garbage collectors or workers in sewage plants: perpetually unclean. And so the angels extend peace to the shepherds and all others whom God favors (2:14), breaking open our expectations that favor is only for the “special ones” like Mary. In Luke’s Gospel, it is not enough that the favor of God has come to Mary, or even that it has extended to the “unwashed” keepers of sheep. In Luke’s view this favor of God—grace—has come into the world for everyone: Jew and Gentile, clean and unwashed, the righteous and the sinful alike. And so when Jesus preaches his first sermon, he concludes it by saying that the year of the Lord’s favor has begun to be fulfilled in the hearing of all those who listen to him. (4:19)

Matthew 1:18-25 (The Annunciation to Joseph and the Birth of Jesus)   Matthew 2:1-12 (The Magi Visit)

It is commonplace to speak about Luke’s account of the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary as the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. But it is less commonplace, though no less true, to say that there is an angelic annunciation to the Virgin Joseph in Matthew’s Gospel. Just as Luke places his early emphasis on Mary’s role in Jesus’ coming into the world, so Matthew places his emphasis on the role that Joseph plays. In a dream, an angel visits Joseph to reassure him that it is good and right for him to take Mary as his wife, though she is pregnant before they have come together in marriage. And the angel explicitly tells Joseph that he is to remain a virgin, having no marital relations with Mary, until after Jesus is born. There are no shepherds in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth. Matthew is the most Jewish of the four Gospels, and it would no doubt have shocked Matthew’s community to hear that the privileged first visitors to Israel’s Messiah were ritually unclean shepherds. (Shepherds, because of their mucking about with sheep and sheep dung were considered ritually unclean, incapable of visiting the Temple in Jerusalem to make the appointed sacrifices.) But there is an equally startling surprise in those who are chosen to be the first visitors to Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel: “unwashed” Gentile Magi, who don’t even worship the God of Israel! Thus it would seem that, despite the differences in emphasis and main characters in Luke’s and Matthew’s birth stories, one central point made by these two Evangelists about Jesus and his birth is the same: this Messiah will be a surprising one, turning upside down many of the expectations of his fellow Jews, as he is welcomed and celebrated by—and will himself welcome and celebrate—“ritually unclean” Jews (the shepherds of Luke) and “unbelieving” Gentiles (the Magi of Matthew). This Jesus will show God’s favor, God’s love, God’s peace, and bring God’s healing to anyone willing to come to him: Jew or Gentile, ritually unclean or the ones who have not even believed in Israel’s God.

- Bill Rich

 Questions for Reflection

1. Do you find yourself drawn more to Luke’s stories of Jesus’ birth or Matthew’s? Can you put your finger on what it is that draws you to one Gospel more than the other?

2. God’s favor comes into the world through Mary’s cooperation with the angelic message she receives from God, despite her doubts/uncertainties. What doubts/uncertainties do you need to overcome to receive God’s favor?

3. Many people find the emphasis on the virgin birth difficult. Do you? Would it help to think of virginity as more about uncluttered (by previous or present distracting commitments) openness to receive what God gives?

4. Jesus’ first visitors are “unwashed” Jews and unbelieving Gentiles. What part of you feels “unwashed” and unacceptable, or unbelieving? How does it change things for you to imagine God inviting whatever you regard as unwashed in you to a close encounter with Jesus? How does it change things for you to realize that God wants to visit even the unbelieving parts of you? How does it change things if you accept that God wants to declare you—including your unwashed and unbelieving parts—divinely favored?

"The Journey of the Magi" – T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)

‘A cold coming we had of it,  Just the worst time of the year  For a journey, and such a long journey:  The ways deep and the weather sharp,  The very dead of winter.’  And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory,  Lying down in the melting snow.  There were times we regretted  The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,  And the silken girls bringing sherbet.  Then the camel men cursing and grumbling  and running away, and wanting their liquor and women,  And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,  And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly  And the villages dirty and charging high prices:  A hard time we had of it.  At the end we preferred to travel all night,  Sleeping in snatches,  With the voices singing in our ears, saying  That this was all folly.  Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,  Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;  With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness,  And three trees on the low sky,  And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.  Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,  Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,  And feet kicking the empty wine-skins.  But there was no information, and so we continued  And arriving at evening, not a moment too soon  Finding the place; it was (you might say) satisfactory.  All this was a long time ago, I remember,  And I would do it again, but set down  This set down  This: were we led all that way for  Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly  We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,  But had thought they were different; this Birth was  Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.  We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,  With an alien people clutching their gods.  I should be glad of another death.

"Amahl and the Night Visitors" – opera by Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007)

"Adoration of the Magi" – Albrecht Durer (1471-1528)

"adoration of the shepherds" – giorgione (1477/78-1510) - see above  .

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