8-10 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognise him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13-14 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15-16 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17-19 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:8-20 New Living Translation.

Today's reading is probably one of the most well-known stories of the Bible. Luke tells it so simply, yet one can imagine the fear those lowly shepherds must have felt at the appearance of angels in the dark of night. The message the angels gave, however, was one of incredibly good news! (vs11) What would be the result of this arrival of a Saviour from God? (vs 13-14)

Peace on earth! Is that not the cry and longing of many hearts. But it’s important to note the whole sentence. Who would be the ones who experience this peace?

Luke tells us later in his gospel how Jesus once said to the disciples: “Do you think I've come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favour of me, and two against - or two in favour and three against.” The peace the angels spoke of was not the end of wars, but the end of the conflict God has with sinners. Those who receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord are the ones with whom God is pleased.

Luke also tells us of the consternation the shepherd's report caused in the surrounding region. But while many people were perplexed, Mary pondered on what it could all mean. I wonder if she was thinking why God should have sent such an important message to shepherds? Why do you think He did that?

I can't say for sure, but I think it may be because of what God said through His prophet Ezekiel many years earlier. In Ezekiel 36 God said to Ezekiel: “Prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel and give them this message: 'What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You've not taken care of the weak, nor tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who've wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd . . . they've wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them'” And then God said: “I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again.” (Ezekiel 36:1-16) And, as you probably know, Jesus is the one who later said “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) That’s the good news the angels were announcing.