People of the First Christmas: The Shepherds

Welcome to another blog post in my series on the individuals present at the First Christmas I will be examining the final witnesses to the Nativity: the shepherds who tending their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem.

Before delving into the biblical account, it’s important to understand the social context of shepherds during Jesus’ time. While they played a vital role in the local economy, providing food and wool for their communities, shepherds were often seen as somewhat marginalized in Jewish society. 1  This was due to a combination of factors, including their close contact with animals, which was considered to have ritual implications, concerns about their honesty, and the perceived “wildness” associated with their isolated lifestyle, often spending long hours outdoors tending their flocks. Despite these challenges, shepherds remained an integral part of the social fabric, providing food and wool for their communities.

It’s crucial to remember that sheep were raised for various purposes, not solely for temple sacrifices. However, the purity of the animals was paramount for those designated for religious offerings. This likely required specialized knowledge, which might have been passed down within certain families, although there’s no evidence suggesting shepherds were exclusively from the tribe of Levi.

Now that the background of the shepherds in the time of Jesus is clear, let’s dive into what the Bible says happened that night. The Gospel of Luke, in his second chapter, describes how the shepherds were ‘terrified’ when an angel unexpectedly appeared to them. It’s worth considering why the shepherds were terrified by the angel’s appearance. Perhaps they felt unworthy of receiving a message from God, or perhaps they were simply overwhelmed by the unexpected and dramatic nature of the angelic visitation. Are we scared of what God has to say to us, or are we willing to listen? Maybe we need to examine our hearts and find out the answer this Christmas so we can be better prepared to receive Him.

Luke then tells after the angels had left, the shepherds spoke among themselves and decided to go see ‘which the Lord has made known to us’ and they went to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. This exemplifies true obedience: immediate decision and action. We need to examine our own motives and ask ourselves: ‘Do I prioritize immediate obedience to God’s commands, or do I tend to procrastinate and delay my response?’ If it is the latter is more common for us, perhaps we can learn from the shepherds and strive for greater promptness in our response to God’s will.

After witnessing the baby Jesus in the manger, just as the angels had foretold, the shepherds returned to their flocks overflowing with joy. They couldn’t resist sharing the good news with everyone they met, praising God along the way. For us, Christmas should be a time of profound joy, for Jesus, the Savior of the world, has come among us! God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to bear the punishment for our sins and to reveal His love and will for humanity.

In conclusion, let us examine ourselves in light of the shepherds’ example. Are we fully committed to following God, or are there areas of our lives where we are resisting His will? When we experience God’s love, are we eager to share that joy with others, or do we tend to keep it to ourselves? These are important questions to ponder as we approach Christmas, so that we too can be faithful witnesses to the world of the true joy of Christmas.

Thank you for reading this installment in my series on the individuals present at the First Christmas. Next week, we’ll shift our focus to individuals who encountered Jesus during his childhood, before the events of his visit to the temple when he was twelve and his public ministry. Our first encounter will be with Simeon and Anna, whom Mary and Joseph met when they brought the infant Jesus to the temple for dedication.

Thank you for joining me today as we explored the shepherds who witnessed the first Christmas. I appreciate you taking the time to read and reflect on this important event. Be sure to come back next Tuesday for an important update on my content creator plans. I have some exciting news to share!