What the shepherds tell us
Merry Christmas. Okay, perhaps not yet, but I was reading the Advent story in Luke’s gospel when something struck me afresh. It’s a very familiar passage. Perhaps too familiar, as we can skim over it easily without thinking. The shepherds give us a lesson in obedience here.
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. Luke 2:8-20 ESV
Old ground, right? An angel appears and proclaims the event, and the heavenly host (the armies of God) rejoice. The shepherds choose obedience. They go to see and tell others what they saw. The others wonder, and the shepherds return home.
What didn’t happen? The people of Bethlehem wondered, but there is no indication they believed. They didn’t go see for themselves. Perhaps a few believed, but it makes me wonder. If someone told me God appeared just down the block, I’d certainly be inclined to go take a look, if for no other reason than curiosity or to prove them foolish.
The shepherds were obedient. They believed, and they worshipped.
God didn’t hold them accountable for not producing results. Our task is obedience; God produces the transformation in others’ hearts.
There was joy and worship in simply knowing and being obedient. They don’t seem to have worried about what others thought or believed. They did what God asked and praised His name.
Obedience to the Lord and praise are their own rewards. They are opportunities and gifts for believers alone.
Perhaps there is a lesson here for us. If we walk in obedience and praise God, there are blessings. The Scripture is full of promises of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
Let’s strive to follow the Lord and give him glory.
God’s richest blessings,
Kevin
SUMMARY
I was struck afresh reading the familiar Christmas story in Luke 2: the shepherds heard the angel’s news, believed it, and went in obedience, even though what happened next wasn’t up to them. Their example reminds me that our part is simply to walk in obedience and give God the glory, and to trust Him with the results in other people’s hearts.
TAKEAWAY
The shepherds responded to the angel’s message with immediate obedience, going to Bethlehem without hesitation or proof.
The people of Bethlehem “wondered” but there’s no indication they believed; the shepherds weren’t responsible for that outcome, only for their own obedience.
There was joy and worship simply in knowing and obeying, without the shepherds worrying about how others would receive it.
IMAGE NOTES
Today’s image is: Shepherd & flock, Sinai (matpc 09668), American Colony/Matson Photo Service, between 1898 and 1946. No known restrictions on publication. Library of Congress Colorized 2026
