Luke 2:8-14...The Announcement...

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
     “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

We can’t help but think of shepherds during this time of year. We see displays of them, watch dramas about them and see them on many Christmas cards and banners. The shepherds were minding their own business, as they do very well, in the fields with their sheep. They were generally considered to be among the poorest of the people and they spent countless days and nights in the fields with their flocks. Yet these were the select few who heard the angels first announce the birth of Christ Jesus. The angels sudden appearance made the shepherds afraid. Even so the angels assured them that the news they bore was of great value and they had no reason to be afraid. Indeed, the message was that of hope, deliverance and salvation. The news was not just good but was the greatest news of all time. Jesus was born!

Blessings,
Alan B Conner