Live with Joy Like the Shepherds

It’s the day after Christmas. This could be a quiet day or one filled with more holiday activities! No matter what your post-Christmas is like, it’s a time to rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! 

We can rejoice with the shepherds who received a message directly from heaven about Jesus’ birth. We, too, can experience the joy and wonder experienced by the shepherds and the Christmas message they received. 

The Angel's Announcement to Shepherds

We read about the angel's announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. The shepherds were out in the fields with their flocks like they often were. It seemed like a typical night, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. Then suddenly, a glorious angel of God stood before them. Imagine how the shepherds must have felt. Luke says the shepherds were "greatly afraid." 

However, the angel told the shepherds not to be afraid and then told them about Christ's birth. The angel also explained where they could find the baby. After this, a host of angels praised God and said, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14 NKJV). 

When the angels left, the shepherds decided they needed to go to Bethlehem to find the Savior. The Scriptures say that they “made haste” or quickly went to the town and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby in the manger, just as the angel had told them. 

Just imagine all of this happening to the shepherds! The night started off normal enough, but all of a sudden, things changed in the twinkling of an eye. Once the shepherds found Baby Jesus, they told everyone about everything they had seen and heard. They were overwhelmed and excited with this great news! 

The angel’s message was not meant only for the shepherds. It was meant for all people around the world. This was a message that still resounds so many centuries later! God had sent the promised Messiah! What could be more joyous? 

Why Shepherds Chosen to Spread the Joyous News

The Bible doesn’t tell us why shepherds were the first to receive the Good News of the Savior’s birth. In those days, shepherding was considered lowly work, with shepherds living a nomadic, hard life in the open fields. The work was grueling and dangerous. 

The shepherds in Luke 2 were out in the fields with their flocks at night. These men were not sleeping, but standing guard. They had to stay awake all night to keep thieves and predators from taking their sheep. Not only that, but the men's only weapons were shepherd staves and rocks. We're talking about a tough life. 

Yet, God sent the angels to share the message of Jesus’ birth with the shepherds. He didn’t have the angels visit the chief priest or others in high positions. The Jewish religious leaders at that time were highly religious people. They were more focused on laws and rituals instead of a relationship with the Living God. But these leaders, like the rest of Israel, were waiting for the Messiah. 

The religious leaders may have fully expected God to reveal Himself and His messages to them. Why? They believed they were better than anyone else and were faithful in fulfilling God's laws and commandments. In other words, the religious leaders thought they were much more important than others. 

So, maybe God chose to share the Good News of Christ’s birth with lowly shepherds rather than religious leaders. The shepherds were humble men, watchful, and ready to do any work set before them. You can bet these men didn’t expect an entire host of angels to visit them with such an extraordinary message! This may be why they were chosen over more important men. The shepherds on that night were in awe and wondered at this great message from the angels. 

Similarities Between the Humble Shepherds & Christ

The shepherds were lowly, humble men who lived as Jesus would live His life and conduct His ministry. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, arrived as a humble baby to poor parents. He was not born in a palace; instead, Christ was born in a humble stable. 

Jesus was also called the Good Shepherd (John 10:14). Like the shepherds in the field, Jesus watches over us every moment of our lives. He protects us and provides for each of us every day, just like the shepherds provided and watched over their sheep. 

The shepherds were quick to act on the night Jesus was born. They consulted with one another and decided to head to Bethlehem. Notice what the Bible says, “And they came with haste and found Mary, Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:16 NKJV). The shepherds didn’t loiter around trying to decide what to do. These men quickly went to Bethlehem to find the Christ Child. They had no doubts about Who they would find—these men knew they would see the Baby Jesus, our Savior. 

The First Evangelists

Once the shepherds found Christ, Mary, and Joseph, they returned to the fields. But on the way, they told everyone they saw about all the wonderful things they had seen and experienced. They told everyone about seeing the Messiah, the angels, and hearing God’s message. Everyone was amazed by their news! All the way back to the fields, these men were praising and glorifying God for sending the promised Messiah. They were very happy—their Savior (and ours) had finally come!  

God’s Good News

The angel announces the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the field rather than sending this message to the elite religious leaders of the day. In this way, God showed that His Son was for those who were lowly and humble. The shepherds were the first to hear this wonderful news and witness the newborn Messiah. By choosing the shepherds, God showed that His grace and salvation are available to all, no matter their social status. Anyone who humbly receives Jesus as their Savior receives God’s love and eternal life. 

Jesus’ ministry often uplifted the humble and marginalized, and His work continues to this day. The birth of Jesus is good news for everyone. The angels’ message is one of hope for all people through the ages. Christ’s birth was not limited to a select few at a specific time but is available for all who receive Him throughout time. 

Jesus was born to save you and me—no matter who we are or where we've been. He comes to offer forgiveness, healing, and eternal life. He comes to restore our relationship with God, our Father. The birth of our Lord invites us all into the joy of salvation, just as the angels proclaimed on that holy night. 

Living the Joy of Christ’s Birth Everyday

After the decorations are packed away and the celebrations are finished, the joy of Christ’s birth remains. We are called to live in this joy every day, not only at Christmas. The angels’ announcement continues to resonate in our hearts, “...I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people!” (Luke 2:10 NKJV). This joy is not only a seasonal emotion but an eternal reality because Jesus, the Savior of the world, has come. 

So, as we move beyond Christmas and into the New Year, let us continue to rejoice in the Savior’s birth. Let the joy and peace He brings to the world fill our hearts, just as it filled the hearts of the shepherds so long ago. And like them, may we eagerly share the good news of Jesus with everyone around us! 

God bless,

PS If you'd like to find apps for prayer, Bible study, etc., head over to our Resources page!  

The Deeper Meaning of Christmas

Are you having a hard time connecting with God during the Christmas season? If so, you’re not alone. The holidays can be a joyous time, but they can also be a time of deep sadness and stress when you feel far from God. What’s going on?

The world seems like it’s on fire these days, with controversies, politics, tragedies, and wars raging all around. Many of us feel the pinch of hard economic times, job loss, and more.

The holiday season is a time of overwhelming rushing, lights, music, and excitement. It’s a busy time of baking, shopping, and decorating. Amidst all this, it’s easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, and you may feel very far from God during this time.

Yet, if we look beyond all this activity, we find the deeper, more lasting significance of Christmas—celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and anticipating His second coming.

Holiday Season Struggles

Christmas, in the secular world, has become hugely commercialized. The focus is on giving and receiving costly gifts, travel, hosting the ideal family gathering, and more. We’re expected to trim the house extravagantly with lights outside and indoors, have a fantastically huge Christmas tree, and have fantastic food. In some households, even the gerbil may have a stocking! That’s cute, and it’s OK. But the commercialization of this holiday places a huge burden on each of us.

The commercialization of Christmas, with its focus on shopping and materialism, can quickly leave us feeling empty and disconnected from the deeper meaning of the holiday. We may also feel far from God.

Christmas can sometimes also be a reminder of what’s missing in your life. We may have lost loved ones, financial security, or emotional peace (maybe all three). The holiday season may bring up feelings of isolation, loneliness, and sadness, especially when family dynamics are strained. 

It’s difficult when the festive atmosphere feels like a harsh contrast to our personal struggles. Yet, we continue to be bombarded with the message that Christmas is about those perfect moments and perfect gifts. We may find ourselves overwhelmed and discouraged, longing for something deeper.

But when we put the focus on the true significance of the holiday, we discover the heart of Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ offers us a deeper sense of hope and peace in our imperfect world.

The Deeper Meaning of Christmas: The Birth of Christ

The real meaning of Christmas lies in the humble birth of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who came into the world as a baby. He came to save us all from sin and death. In the midst of all the worldly distractions at Christmas, it is this profound event that we celebrate.

The Bible tells us in Matthew 1:21 NKJV, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Christ’s birth was the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior. As we celebrate Christmas, we remember that Jesus came not just as a baby, but as the promised Messiah—Emanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

The Christmas story reminds us that God stepped into our world in the most unexpected way. The Creator, our Sovereign God who rules over all, entered into human history as a helpless baby. Christ was born in a humble stable to a young couple (Mary and Joseph) in a small town called Bethlehem. 

This story invites us to embrace humility, simplicity, and grace. Each of these qualities is often overshadowed by the busyness of the holiday season. Yet this is the most important message we can receive at Christmas.

The Struggles of the First Christmas

Think of what Mary and Joseph had to go through in the run-up to the birth of Jesus. Mary had an out-of-this-world visit from the angel Gabriel. At the time, she was betrothed to Joseph. They were not yet married. The angel told Mary she was highly favored by God and that she would bear a son—the Messiah. But she had not been with a man. How could she explain this to Joseph and her family? (Read Luke 1).

Joseph likewise had to deal with the stress of finding Mary was pregnant before they were married. The Law said he could divorce her, but then she might be stoned as an adulteress. Joseph had to struggle with what to do. One night, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph. He told Joseph that Mary’s baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He went on to say that this child would be the Son of God and that His name would be Jesus. (Matthew 1). The angel urged Joseph to take Mary as his wife. So, he did.

Talk about struggles—the first Christmas was a huge struggle for Mary and Joseph. They had to deal with family issues and Mary’s pregnancy, travel to Bethlehem to be counted for taxation, and more. There was no place for them to stay, so Mary and Joseph had to stay in a stable. Then Mary went into labor and gave birth there.

The Bible recounts these struggles and how Mary and Joseph managed to get through it all. They leaned on God the entire time and were obedient to Him throughout. Their focus was on God and safely bringing His Son into the world. Still, it couldn’t have been easy.

The first Christmas is all about how God stepped into our world as a helpless infant. He was born in a humble stable to a young couple who had to travel far from their families. During this busy time, we can reflect on this powerful truth: Jesus was born to give us peace that transcends the temporary joys of this world. Read Isaiah 9:6 NKJV, where it says, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This is our focus during Christmas.

Jesus’ Second Coming—The Future Hope

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we are also reminded of the hope we have in His second coming. While we remember His coming as a baby in a manger, we also look forward to the day when He returns.

Jesus’ second coming will be as the King of Kings, who will make all things right. The future gives us comfort, knowing that the struggles and pains of this world are temporary.

In Revelation 22:12 NKJV, Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” The second coming of Christ is a promise that brings us hope in times of uncertainty. We celebrate Christmas not only as the birth of our Savior but as a reminder of His return to restore justice, peace, and eternal life.

This hope sustains us when we feel overwhelmed and far from God in our daily lives and during the busy holiday season. It is a reminder that our true home is not here but with Christ and that one day, He will make all things new.

Finding Peace in the True Meaning of Christmas

The holiday can feel like a time of pressure, anxiety, and disappointment. But when we focus on the true meaning of Christmas, we find peace that transcends our circumstances. Jesus, born in a humble manger, came to offer us eternal life. His second coming promises the ultimate peace and joy, which no material possession or fleeing holiday tradition can bring.

This Christmas, take time to reflect on the deeper meaning of the season. Remember the gift of the Savior, who came to bring peace, hope, and salvation to a broken world. As we anticipate His return, we should live with hearts full of gratitude and expectation, knowing He will come again to make all things new.

With this focus, keep praying, reading/studying the Bible, and quiet times of reflection with God. You may only have a few minutes here and there, but in those moments, focus on God and the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Christmas Peace

Holy Father, this Christmas, help us remember to pause and reflect on the precious gift of Your Son. In the midst of holiday stress, help us to remember that You came to bring peace, love, hope, and eternal life. Fill our hearts with the joy of Your presence and remind us of the promise of Your return. We give you all the glory and praise for the gift of the Messiah, now and always. Amen.

God bless,

PS If you'd like to find apps for prayer, Bible study, etc., head over to our Resources page!