This article is excerpted from Lifeway Men's new Bible study, Behold the Savior - Advent Bible Study Book for Men: Treasuring the Story of Christmas.
"In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
Luke 2:8-9 (CSB)
THE AUDIENCE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT
The angel of the Lord made a cosmic announcement about the birth of the promised King. His audience? Shepherds! Not what you would expect, right? You would expect the cosmic announcement of the birth of the King of the universe to come to the elite class. Instead, God announces it to lowly, humble shepherds. They were considered outcasts of society and, in some circles, untrustworthy. And yet, it is to them that God, in all His glory, makes the announcement. Naturally, they were terrified. Wouldn’t you be?
Here, Luke is reminding Theophilus and us that God’s kingdom is not for the elite but for the humble and the outcast. The angel’s appearance to them signifies that Jesus came for all people, regardless of status. Luke will continue to unpack this theme throughout his Gospel.
"Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed."
Luke 1:1-4 (CSB)
The shepherds’ experience reminds us that God’s grace reaches us where we are. No one is too lowly for His kingdom. How can you reflect that same heart for others in your daily life?
"But the angel said to them, 'Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.'"
Luke 2:10-12 (CSB)
THE NATURE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Notice the personal nature of the announcement: “a savior born for you.” And the announcement is “good news of great joy.” Whatever the news is, it is good and should cause everyone “all people” to rejoice. The news? The Savior born in Bethlehem (David’s city) is “the Messiah, the Lord.” These titles are significant.
Jesus is God the Son in the flesh: “born for you” (v. 11). The virgin birth—or, better yet, the virginal conception—reminds us that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Jesus is the Savior of all people (vv. 10-11). All people can find forgiveness from sin and restoration to God in Jesus.
Jesus is God’s anointed King—Messiah, or Christ (v. 11). He is God’s promised King whom God anoints with His Spirit to fulfill God’s saving plan.
Jesus is the Lord (v. 11). This is God’s personal covenant name, “Yahweh.” It is the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses and Israel. It is the name that is above every name. Jesus is God, and as God, He has divine authority and rules over all.
The paradox is stunning: The King of Kings was born not in a palace but in a manger. God’s way is often different from human expectations. This passage calls us to recognize Jesus as our Savior, King, and Lord. If Jesus is who the angel announced Him to be, then Jesus is Lord, and there is nothing He cannot ask of us. Take a moment to reflect: Have you truly surrendered every part of your life to Him?
"Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.'"Luke 2:13-15 (CSB)
THE HEAVENLY RESPONSE
Heaven rejoices at the revelation of God’s salvation in Christ (vv. 13-14). We will see this again in Luke 15. God revealed His saving plan on that first Christmas at Jesus’s birth. And all of heaven burst into worship. What does this salvation mean? Peace on earth for those on whom God’s favor rests, meaning on all in whom God delights—those who find Him through His Son. In Luke’s Gospel, that is the humble and lowly—like shepherds. Peace on Israel—but not only on them. Peace on all peoples or nations.
"...and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Luke 24:47 (CSB)
The promised peace will be cosmic and everlasting. Adam’s sin introduced sin on earth and conflict between people. We experience it all around us today. But Jesus brings peace that lasts forever. In fact, the apostle Paul said Jesus came preaching peace to all.
"He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near."
Ephesians 2:17 (CSB)
When we understand who Jesus is and what He came to do, we won’t be able to keep this announcement to ourselves. That’s exactly how the shepherds responded. They went “straight to Bethlehem” and told everyone what was made known to them (v.15).
CLOSING
The angel’s message to the shepherds is still true today. Jesus’s birth is good news of great joy because He is our Savior, Messiah, and Lord. He brings peace to those who receive Him. The shepherds heard, believed, and acted. How will you respond? May this Advent season be one where you behold the Savior and rejoice in His coming!