8 And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock, 9 and lo, a messenger of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared a great fear. 10 And the messenger said to them, 'Fear not, for lo, I bring you good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people— 11 because there was born to you to-day a Saviour—who is Christ the Lord—in the city of David, 12 and this 'is' to you the sign: Ye shall find a babe wrapped up, lying in the manger.' 13 And suddenly there came with the messenger a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 14 'Glory in the highest to God, and upon earth peace, among men—good will.' 15 And it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said unto one another, 'We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that hath come to pass, that the Lord did make known to us.' 16 And they came, having hasted, and found both Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger, 17 and having seen, they made known abroad concerning the saying spoken to them concerning the child. 18 And all who heard, did wonder concerning the things spoken by the shepherds unto them;
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.