The Wonder of Christmas 

The Awe of the Shepherds 

THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS…
Luke 2: ⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 

¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The fact that God made the announcement to shepherds first, helps us to understand the real meaning of Christmas. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” 

And He chose to announce that to shepherds first of all.

Shepherds were at the opposite end of the social class scale from King Herod and all the influential people of the day.

– They lived in the fields – with their animals. 

– They weren’t respected. (The outcast of society – so to speak)

– They had no power or prestige. 

Yet, God’s angel came to THEM and said, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ, the Lord.”

1. God knows you and you are important to Him!

First of all, it tells us, “No matter how insignificant you may think you are, God knows you, and you are important to Him.” 

Throughout scripture we see God honoring people – using people – using things that the world often overlooks or maybe even ignores.

1 Corinthians 1: ²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are

1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

“If God cares about sparrows and lilies, then He cares about you.” If God cares about the shepherds, He cares about you!

2. Your life matters, because God loves you!

Maybe we wonder, 

– “What difference does it make if I get up every morning or not? 

– It seems as if my life is an endless cycle of things that really doesn’t mean anything. 

– I just, at times, wonder if life is worth living at all?”

When God comes and makes His announcement to shepherds, He is also saying to us, “Your life is worthwhile. You are valuable, I love you, I care about you and you are precious to me…

It’s impossible to live, even for a few moments on this earth, and not influence somebody in one way or another. 

3. The Shepherds were Witnesses for the New Born King

Luke 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

The shepherds awe of the New Born King caused them to want to tell others…

Being a witness is just that. Telling others what you have seen and heard. What the Shepherds were doing as witnesses – They were believing with their actions.

4. The Shepherds Worshipped the New Born King

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Shepherds saw the baby, then went out and told others about what they saw. They were in such awe and wonder… all they could do was honor God!!

They gave God glory!

They gave God praise!

They worshipped Him.!

They valued Him!