Luke 2:8-15
The birth of Jesus!
Luke 2:8-12
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The first pronouncement of the Messiah’s birth was given by an angel to some anonymous shepherds.
One of the main themes of this story is, “Do not be afraid.”
Luke emphasizes the worldwide gospel. The Good News is for everybody, not just the Jews.
Luke 2:13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” The angels praised God at creation, and now they praised Him at the beginning of the New Creation. The absence of war doesn’t guarantee the presence of peace.
God’s glory dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34),
and in the temple (2 Chron. 7:1–3),
but had departed because of the nation’s sin (1 Sam 4:21).
Now God’s glory was returning to earth in the person of His Son, Jesus (John 1:14).
Luke 2:15
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They were willing to do whatever it took to see the Messiah.