The Shepherds’ Guide to Christmas
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another. “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Luke 2:15-18 (CSB)
Christmas Day often becomes characterized by traveling from place to place to gather with family to celebrate. The temptation is to become centered on time spent with family, the gifts under the tree, and the traditions we love. But, unfortunately, such moments blind us from the true meaning and celebration of Christmas. Though we declare the knowledge that the coming of Christ is the reason for the season, does our response reflect that truth.
The shepherds on that evening demonstrated the importance of the season in their response to the received message and their engagement with the Messiah. They provide for us today four reminders of how we ought to respond to the celebration of the coming of Christ on this Christmas Day
First, they listened attentively to the message. While tending to the flock of sacrificial lambs, shepherds engaged a heavenly host that delivered heaven’s message. The declaration of the coming of Immanuel rang loudly to the shepherds in the field. Often, people hear a message and gain knowledge without truly hearing the message’s intent, purpose, and importance. They claim awareness of the message but do not live in a manner that reflects the message.
Attentive listening hears the message declared and understands the importance. The shepherds heard the message and paid attention in a manner that would cause a change in action and priority. Like the shepherds, we can hear the message of Christmas or even read it in God’s Word. We can know the story and tell it, but we truly listen attentively to the message impacting our lives. So on this Christmas Day, may we listen and engage the true message of Christmas attentively.
Second, they responded with urgency to the message. The shepherds held the responsibility of meeting the needs of the flock of sheep under their care. Their occupation was important as it was the method of providing for the needs of their families. But the message of the angels carried with it an urgency that prompted an immediate response from the shepherds. The shepherds declared that they should depart immediately and go straight to Bethlehem.
The urgency of response meant that the shepherds recognized the significance of the moment of God’s working. They knew that delaying was not an option and thus headed without delay or detour to the manger. Traditions, gatherings, and expectations can cause delays and detours from heading straight to the Lord during the Christmas season. On this day, will you head straight to the manger first? The shepherds abandoned the sheep under their care because they responded in urgency to the message of Christ.
Third, they sought and found Jesus. The path to Jesus for the shepherds was focused on the destination of engaging Jesus. The shepherds did not concern themselves with other destinations along the path but simply sought to experience the Messiah they had heard about. The message caused them to enter a journey of seeking Jesus completely and ended with their engagement with the Child in the manger.
At Christmas, the story of Christ’s birth ought to be a reminder of the journey we are on seeking Jesus. This day serves to remind us of the greatness of God and the depth of His love for us. We hear the message and receive encouragement to seek Jesus and engage Him. On this Christmas Day, we face the temptation of seeking gifts under a tree that are labeled to us, but may this be a day of seeking THE ONE TRUE GIFT that would hang on a tree that we might receive the greatest gift of eternal life.
Fourth, they shared the message received. The shepherds could not contain their experience with the heavenly host or the message received. Christmas serves as a perfect moment to share one’s experience with Jesus. A time to declare the gospel message that invites people to receive the one true gift. When the message of the cradle has been received, then the message cannot be contained in the life of the believer but is a message that must be declared. So the shepherds could not contain the message but had to proclaim. So may you proclaim this Christmas Day the good news that came from your engagement with the child in the manger.
The worldly approach to Christmas tempts us to give lip service to the real reason for the celebration of this season. As followers of Christ, we know the message found in the Bible about the coming of Immanuel, but are we living and celebrating like the shepherds? Will we make Christ primary and everything else secondary? Yes, this is a day of spending time with family and a day of giving and receiving gifts, but more importantly, this is the day we celebrate Jesus and declare His great name. So may we take on the attitude of the shepherds.
