Pondering the Thoughts of Men Watching Sheep

[Prayer-Soldier]

Many blessings to all,

For many a night, shepherds have watched over their flock, keeping the sheep in the quiet of the stars. Many a night have passed, perhaps with some interruption of wolves or thieves attempting to take a sheep from the flock. Many a night have passed for these peasants without event, but suddenly, before them was the angel of the Lord and the glory of the Lord shown all about them. What thoughts could have suddenly enveloped them in that moment? We are told they were struck with great fear.

Was the source of their fear that they did not understand what was before them or was it that they knew that which surrounded them, perhaps afraid what it would mean for them? We are told the angel of the Lord said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.� Luke 2:10-12

As the moments unfolded, the shepherds we given a great message of a moment that would influence the future of mankind, still to unfold. The message was not revealed to kings, sovereigns or religious leaders, but peasants of the night. Can we imagine what awe and wonder filled them when “suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.� Luke 2:13-:14

But when the angels departed, did the shepherds doubt the reality of what they saw? Is it possible they may have wondered if they were just hallucinating from the lateness of the night? Did they question each other about what they saw? Could it be possible that they all hallucinated the same thing? We are told that they “said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.� Luke 2:15

As they walked the path to Bethlehem, can we imagine what thoughts may have filled their minds as to what they might find? What would it mean if the found an infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger? They had been told this would be their savior. Can we imagine what we would do if we were told our savior would be found in a child born in peasant surroundings?

No matter how the shepherds may have attempted to rationalize at first what they saw, the events continued to unfold to that which they could not deny. When they found Joseph, Mary and the Christ Child as the angels had foretold, they made known the message they had received; a message of great joy. We do not know who may have believed the shepherds then and there are many who still doubt them now, but blessed are those who continue to celebrate the news of great joy brought to us when the shepherds were told when our savior was born.

May the Lord be with you,
Prayer Soldier