Knowing The Word in Luke 2:15-20

The Shepherds See the Christ Child

2:15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, 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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Comments

Now that they are left alone, the shepherds said, “Let us go,” meaning, “We’ve got to get going now!” They heard the good news and wanted to verify it. They found the holy family and the baby they were looking for lying in a manger. This is the third mention of this humble object, the feeding trough of animals, not a crib for a king.

The shepherds told Mary and Joseph everything that had been told to them. Why does Luke include this piece of information in his account and what good does it do for Joseph and Mary? Put yourself in the place of Mary and Joseph. They have had encounters with angels. They have been told their son will be the Son of God, born of the Holy Spirit and the flesh of Mary. They have been obedient and endured hardships of nosy neighbors and the trip to Bethlehem. And now these humble shepherds confirm that God had acted indeed! We discover there were others near the manger, because “all who heard it wondered at the shepherds.” Did others see Jesus before the shepherds? Apparently, yes. These shepherds, these humble men were the first evangelists who shared the good news with others. After doing their job, they returned to their abandoned flock with joy. When God acts, obedient and righteous people praise him.

Yet there was one who had a different reaction. Luke contrasted Mary’s reaction with the shepherds. The implication is that Mary had a deeper understanding of what was going on than the shepherds. Yet what they said to her was a gift, the first Christmas gift, to be treasured in the deepest recesses of her soul—a treasure she would call upon for the rest of Jesus’ earthly life.

Application

Merry Christmas is today’s greeting. It is to reflect the joy of the shepherds and the profound gratitude of Mary and Joseph that God has kept his promise. If this is not your reaction, ask Jesus to bless you today with the joy and gratitude of his presence.

Prayer

May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas. Amen.