8 And in the same country there were keepers of sheep in the fields, watching over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining round about them: and fear came on them. 10 And the angel said, Have no fear; for truly, I give you good news of great joy which will be for all the people: 11 For on this day, in the town of David, a Saviour has come to birth, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this is the sign to you: you will see a young child folded in linen, in the place where the cattle have their food. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a great band of spirits from heaven, giving praise to God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased. 15 And when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the keepers of the sheep said to one another, Let us go now to Beth-lehem, and see this thing which has come about, which the Lord has made clear to us. 16 And they came quickly, and saw Mary and Joseph, and the child in the place where the cattle had their food. 17 And when they saw it, they gave them an account of the things which had been said to them about the child. 18 And all those to whose ears it came were full of wonder at the things said by the keepers of the sheep.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 2:8-18
Commentary on Luke 2:8-20
(Read Luke 2:8-20)
Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling, keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we are employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. Let God have the honour of this work; Glory to God in the highest. God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds to his praise. Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Saviour, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord. These should be glad tidings to all.