First to Hear

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 2: 8-20

TO CHEW ON: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby...An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them..." Luke 2:8,9

Some shepherds were in the fields outside Bethlehem looking after their flocks. It was night. Some of them were asleep. Others were sitting close to the cozy fire talking and trying to stay awake.

"Shepherds Watching Flocks" by O. A. Stemler & Bess Bruce Cleaveland, illustrators Standard Bible Story Readers by Lillie A. Faris

Suddenly a dazzling light shone around them. They were terrified. A shining white being said, “Don’t be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone on earth. Today in the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

"The Shepherds and the Angels" - Unknown Artist

The sign that you have found the right baby is that you’ll find Him wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”

Then a whole choir of angels appeared. They were praising God, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Gradually the light faded. The glorious sound went still.

Then the shepherds did just what the angels said. When they got to Bethlehem, they found Mary, Joseph and the baby. He was in a manger, wrapped in cloths, just as the angels had told them.

"Adoration of the Shepherds" by Unknown Artist

In Bible times, being a shepherd was not a status job. Many people thought you couldn’t trust shepherds. A shepherd’s testimony didn’t hold up in court. The very religious people thought shepherds were unclean. So why did God send the angels to tell shepherds first?

- Because people would know if God pays attention to shepherds, He’ll pay attention to anyone?
- Because Jesus came as a Savior to all people, even those who are humble and unimportant, like shepherds?
- Because God knew the shepherds were simple and trusting enough to believe and act on what the angels said?

The Bible doesn’t tell us, but I think it may have been for all these reasons. What do you think?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for coming to earth for simple, unimportant, ordinary people like shepherds. Thank You for coming to earth for me. Amen.



SUPERSIZE IT: Jobs
A “shepherd” has the job of looking after sheep. What’s your dad’s job? Your mom’s? How many jobs can you name? Can you think of a job starting with each letter of the alphabet?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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