Hi there! Can you tell me who was the first shepherd mentioned in the Bible? Do you know who was a shepherdess according to Genesis 29? Did you know that Moses was married to a shepherdess? It’s true. It’s in the Bible. Shepherds is a major theme in the Bible. They are everywhere not only in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament as well.
I remember growing up as a little boy, my parents brought out our Nativity set during Christmas. Perhaps, you also have a set, or two, in your home. If I am correct, Billy and Patty have more than 13 Nativity sets in their home. I always feel like I am in a museum whenever I visit their home during Christmastime, and I want to give them a small donation. In every Nativity set, there is, of course, the baby Jesus who is in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. Then there are his parents, Joseph and Mary. Some sets may contain the three wise men. Then a few of the sets may also contain the shepherds.
The reason why some Nativity sets contain the shepherds is because it says in the Bible that after the angel told them there is good news of great joy, they left in a hurry to see the sign: a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger. I cannot imagine the joy in their heart when they saw the Child of God with their very own eyes. The shepherds. Does it surprise you that God chose to announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds before he announced it to anyone else? Have you thought before why it happened this way? What do you think was going on inside God’s mind?
Merry Christmas to you. On this coming Christmas Sunday, we conclude our “angelic announcement” message series with a message on the angelic announcement of the birth of Christ to the shepherds. Come, and let’s read together and think together the shepherds in the Christmas story. Please read Luke 2.8–20 and come prepared to worship.
Your Friend
Alvin