Verse 8 These are shepherds watching over lambs that were used in the sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem.

Verse 9 says an angel of the Lord appeared and the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds. (ESV) It’s the middle of the night and the glory of God lit it up like the middle of the day. That’s how bright the glory of God is.

A couple of things. Angels in the Bible are nothing like those sweet angelic figures or baby-faced cherubs people collect. In the Bible, cherubs are described as part animal and part human with four faces (a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a human). They have straight legs, four wings, and bull hooves for feet that shine like polished brass. One set of wings covers their body, and the other is used for flight. They are big. The angel Michael actually looked like a human being with no wings at all. He’s a different kind of angel. In the book of Isaiah, the seraphim angels have six wings, two of which are for flying, while they use the rest to cover their heads and feet. Another description in the book of Ezekiel describes another set of angels as interlocking gold wheels with each wheel’s exterior covered with multiple eyes. They move by floating themselves in the sky. And of course, there’s also the angel of death. No one wants to know what that looks like!

This is some weird stuff. Let’s be honest, if you saw one of any of these coming out of the sky, wouldn’t you be scared too?! I would be freaked out!! Now you can understand why every time an angel comes to someone in the Bible they have to first start with, “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid.”

Verse 10 Notice also that this angel goes on to say, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news…” (ESV) The NLT says the angel reassured them and said, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” God’s messages fill us with joy and not fear. Anytime you hear fear, that’s not God. He is quick to say immediately with all His messages, “do not be afraid.” I don’t have time to list them all in the Bible but “fear not” and “do not be afraid” are written 365 times in the Bible, one for every day of the year. It’s the most spoken command in the entire Bible. God is continually telling us we have nothing to fear with Him. If you’re living in fear then you’re believing lies. God is not a God of fear tactics. Every single day He is calling us to follow Him (not our own desires) without fear. Once we step out of alignment with God’s Word, we should be fearful because we are not walking with God. Who knows what fun the devil will have leading us astray. We should be very fearful to be outside of God’s Will, which is His Word. Protection is only found in Him. Goodness and prosperity in our souls are only found in His ways. Wondering if you’re in God’s Will now? Reading and knowing God’s Word will affirm or convict you on the way to go.

Also, God brings joy. Joy is different than happiness. Happiness is a moment/thing that shifts and changes with emotions. Joy is lasting. We feel it in our souls beneath all the emotions. It stays with us. God can bring us a message of conviction of sin that we might be involved in and it will still be filled with joy. A joy that God loves us enough to turn us around in our sin so that we are back on track with Him!

God chose to use the angel to speak to the shepherds in the field about Jesus’ birth. In Matthew, there’s an account of God using a star to tell the wise men (who were astrologers by profession and would be looking to the stars) of Jesus’ birth. God uses a language and particular ways to speak directly to each of us. We are never too out-of-place for God to reach. He knows how to get His message to you. He knows your love language and how you specifically receive a word from Him.

God came to the lowly (the shepherds were not kings. They were serving in a field) to deliver the first messages of Jesus’ birth. He didn’t even choose the priests in the church or the highly respected in the church. God has a history of choosing shepherds (Moses, David). These were plain men just doing their job. (Side note: Jesus is actually known as the Great Shepherd, who looks after His sheep – us- and guides us in the way to go). When we are living out our calling, serving Him with whatever job God has called us to do, we are in a position for godly visits too. He meets us right where we’re at.

Verse 10 This verse proclaims and fulfills what Isaiah 9:6 says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Verse 11 God’s message is that this long-awaited Messiah that generations have been talking about and waiting for is here. Just as they had expected in the city of David, Bethlehem. The Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord.

Verse 12 God confirms His Word to them with a sign. A baby will be found in a manger.

This Messiah won’t be found wrapped in armor or expensive clothing or sitting on a throne. He would not be an angel. And He would not even be a baby dressed in robes found in a palace. He would be a baby in a manger (an animal’s feeding trough). When Jesus was on earth, He distinguished Himself from everyone else by His humility. The way He came into this world, in a feeding trough, wrapped in strips of cloth. He was known not by His clothing and things but by how He served and put Himself with the least and the last.

And interestingly enough, the Messiah would be our sacrificial lamb on the cross for our sins, just like the sacrificial lambs the shepherds were caring for in the field. But this sacrificial lamb, the Messiah, would be one-and-done. Once. And for all people who would believe.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for how You fulfill every word You have said. Thank you for Jesus and for sending Him the way that You did, into this world full of humility and grace. Thank you for how You speak to us exactly where we’re at. We don’t have to put ourselves in a specific place to be met by You. You speak to me wherever I am serving you. And You bring signs to confirm Your word. Thank you, God, for this relationship that You and I have. Thank you for Jesus opening the door for this relationship that we have. Without Jesus, I wouldn’t be able to talk to you the way that I do now. I wouldn’t be able to find you wherever I’m at. It’s by your mercy that you graciously gave us Jesus to cover all sin and restore this relationship with You. Thank you, Lord, for Your word of joy and love in my life. Thank you for distinguishing Yourself from fear. I stand in a respectful. reverent, awe-filled fear before You as I think about Your majesty and amazing wonder. This fear draws me into You. And that is so different than the fear the devil uses. I put on my spiritual armor, and I get into Your Word to stand guard over my heart against all the lies that the devil stirs up fear with. Jesus, come near. I invite You into my space today. Be with me and show me where I’m believing lies so that I might live fully in Your Truth today. In Jesus’ name, Amen!