The Christmas story is full of wonder, but one of the most powerful parts of this story involves a group of ordinary shepherds. According to the Gospel of Luke, these shepherds were the first to receive the news of Jesus' birth, directly from heavenly angels who God sent to earth. They were simple men living in humble circumstances and without the privileges of rich leaders in that society. Yet, God chose them to be the first to hear of the Savior’s arrival. Their response to this ultimate good news gives us a powerful example of how to respond to God’s messages in our own lives.
Here are 7 ways the shepherds show us how to follow God’s call.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/rudall30
1. They were faithful in their ordinary service.
Luke 2:8 records: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” The shepherds were not looking for any kind of special experience that night. They were just doing their jobs, faithfully tending to their sheep. Since Jesus is the Lamb of God, God may have chosen the shepherds to hear about Jesus’ birth first at least partly because of their work with lambs that were sacrificed to atone for sin before Jesus arrived. The shepherds were out in the fields, quietly fulfilling their responsibilities. It was in the middle of their ordinary night that God chose to reveal his extraordinary message to them.
This reminds us that we don’t need to be in a special place or hold a significant position for God to speak to us. Often, God meets us right where we are, in the middle of our daily routines. Whether we’re working at a desk, caring for our families, or driving in traffic, God sees our faithfulness in the small yet significant work we do. When we work diligently with our ordinary activities, we create space for the extraordinary to break through into our lives. The shepherds show us that it’s important to stay faithful in our everyday tasks. When we do that, we remain open to the unexpected ways God might choose to reveal his plans to us.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/kailash kumar
2. They were open to God’s message.
Luke 2:9 -14 describes what happened when the shepherds encountered a heavenly messenger: “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
The shepherds were suddenly interrupted by a glorious vision – a messenger from God surrounded by divine light. Their initial reaction was fear, and who wouldn’t be afraid? Yet, despite their terror, they chose to stay and listen to the angel’s message rather than run away. They were open to what God was saying, even if it came in a way that was unexpected and overwhelming.
Sometimes, when God speaks to us, it can be intimidating or even disruptive. It might come in a form we don’t expect, or it may challenge us to move out of our comfort zones. The shepherds show us that being open to God’s voice means being willing to embrace the unexpected. We may feel afraid or uncertain, but when we choose to communicate with God in prayer and meditation with open hearts and minds, we open ourselves up to receive God’s guidance and blessings. Let’s remain open to God's interruptions, knowing that his messages often come in surprising ways. In moments of fear or uncertainty, we can choose to lean in and listen, trusting that God has something significant to reveal to us.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Kevron2001
3. They responded with eager obedience.
In Luke 2:15, the Bible reveals how the shepherds responded to the amazing announcement that the world’s Savior had been born.: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” After the angels left, the shepherds didn’t hesitate. They didn’t delay so they could sit around debating the message or second-guessing what they had heard. Instead, they immediately said, “Let’s go!” Since they recognized the importance of God’s message and wanted to obey God, they left for Bethlehem without any hesitation. There’s a lesson here for us in how we respond to the messages God gives us.
Too often, we can be slow to act, held back by doubt or fear of the unknown. But the shepherds’ eager obedience inspires us to step out in faith to do what God is calling us to do. When God calls us, he invites us into something greater than we can imagine, and we don’t want to miss out by delaying our response. We can respond with excitement and confidence, trusting that God’s plans are always good – even when those plans are surprising or hard to understand. God will bless us for our obedience when we’re willing to say “yes” right away.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Andry Djumantara
4. They left their comfort zones behind.
The shepherds had a choice to make that night – and they chose to be courageous, after the angel urged them “Do not be afraid.” (Luke 2:10). Leaving their flocks meant risking their livelihood. Sheep were valuable, and their primary job was to protect them. But they were willing to leave their responsibilities behind and step away from what was familiar to them. They chose to pursue the presence of Jesus, trusting that God would take care of what they left behind.
Following God often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. It might mean leaving behind security, routines, or the safety nets we’ve relied on. But the shepherds’ willingness to let go of the familiar for the sake of something far greater challenges us to do the same. Are we willing to trust God with the things we hold dear? Are we ready to step out in faith, even if it means leaving behind what’s comfortable? The shepherds teach us that sometimes, the journey to encounter Jesus requires a willingness to let go.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Proioxis
5. They sought Jesus diligently.
Luke 2:16 reports: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” The shepherds didn’t take their time getting to Bethlehem. They hurried, filled with anticipation and excitement. They were determined to find the Savior, driven by a sense of urgency to discover Jesus. The shepherds show us what it means to seek God with all our hearts. In our spiritual lives, it’s easy to become complacent or distracted. But the shepherds remind us that seeking God is an active pursuit.
God calls us to diligently seek him every day in a variety of ways, such as through prayer and meditation and studying the Bible. When we make knowing God our highest priority, we position ourselves to encounter God’s presence in deeper, more meaningful ways. So, let’s carry enthusiasm and urgency into our walk with God, just like the shepherds. Let’s be determined to find God’s wonderful work around us every single day of our lives.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Rudall30
6. They shared the good news with others.
In Luke 2:17, the Bible says that the shepherds told other people about Jesus: “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” After their encounter with Jesus, the shepherds didn’t keep the news to themselves. They became the first to share the Gospel, telling everyone they met that the world’s Savior had arrived. They were overflowing with excitement and joy that motivated them to tell others about what God was doing.
The spontaneous way the shepherds shared the good news with others teaches us that when we experience God’s love and goodness, sharing it with others becomes something we genuinely want to do – not just something we think we have to do. The shepherds remind us that we don’t need to be scholars or experts to share the Gospel. We simply need to share what we have seen and heard, letting our lives be testimonies of God’s grace. So, let’s look for opportunities to share the good news regularly – not out of obligation, but out of love.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/manaemedia
7. They returned to their lives, glorifying God.
Luke 2:20 records: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” The shepherds’ journey didn’t end at the manger. They went back to their fields, their sheep, and their ordinary lives – but when they returned, they were changed forever. They found joy from encountering God, so they praised God for all they had experienced. Their encounter with Jesus transformed their hearts, inspiring them to live a lifestyle of worship day by day.
This shows us that an encounter with God doesn’t necessarily mean a change in our external circumstances, but it does change us from the inside out. We can return to our everyday lives – our jobs, our time with family and friends, and everything else we do regularly – filled with the joy of knowing Jesus, allowing that joy to fill every aspect of our lives. God calls us, just like the shepherds, to worship our ordinary lives by bringing the light of God’s presence into our daily conversations and activities. The shepherds teach us that worship is not confined to special moments; instead, worship is meant to be a way of life.
In conclusion, the story of the shepherds on that first Christmas night is a powerful reminder that God often chooses ordinary people to respond to extraordinary calls. The shepherds show us how to seek God with full devotion. So, let’s follow their example this Christmas and beyond!
Photo Credit: Robert Thiemann/Unsplash
Originally published Friday, 13 December 2024.