And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night (Luke 2:8).
Luke 2:8-14 provides a remarkable account of the angelic announcement to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. As the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, filling them with awe and reverential fear.
The angel reassured the shepherds, saying, “Fear not” and went ahead to deliver the good tidings of great joy that would be for all people. The angel proclaimed the birth of a Savior in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord.
Furthermore, the angel gave the shepherds a sign to find the new-born Saviour. They would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Suddenly, the heavens were filled with a multitude of angels, praising God and declaring, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). What an announcement!
His goodwill toward all men hasn’t stopped since then. This is our Gospel! This is what Christmas is about! The Bible says, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
God is looking at all nations today with goodwill. Jesus Christ was God’s love message; He was God’s love letter to the world. When Jesus came, He was the expression of the will and nature of God; He was the expression of the Father’s righteousness! He was the manifestation of God’s love.
Now, the most sublime of it all is that He made us the expression of His will and nature. 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” In Christ, we are made the righteousness of God. Every day of your life, you’re the unfolding of the Father’s heart. In other words, you are the revelation of the Father’s heart and of His will.
Confession/Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for your love, grace and goodwill towards all men; we take advantage of your goodness and mercy to spread your Word of truth and thereby bring men into the glorious life, peace, blessings and righteousness in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
2 Peter 3:9; Romans 5:8-9; 1 John 4:9-10
1-year bible reading plan
Revelation 16; Haggai 1-2
2-year bible reading plan
Acts 3:1-11; Ezra 2