And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8 ESV)
the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:15, 16 ESV)
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:20 ESV)
Shepherds
In Christmas pageants, shepherds do not have cool costumes. They usually wear brown bathrobes. Shepherds for those familiar with Wild West history were looked down on, despised, and declared dumb. Shepherds were not glamorous, wealthy, well-educated, or admired.
But the angels spoke to THEM first.
These particular shepherds probably cared for the sheep that God’s people purchased to make sacrifices in the temple. These particular shepherds probably knew the signs of the coming Messiah, and had ready ears. These particular shepherds probably were folk of faith, amazed at the angels rather than overwhelmed with the holy power.
The shepherds heard, and believed. The shepherds believed, and knew. The shepherds knew, and proclaimed.
We can be exactly that kind of witness, too. We have experienced Jesus’ love. We have experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We have experienced the Grace of the Father.
Hear, and believe. Believe, and know. Know and proclaim.