When Shepherds Became Evangelists (Luke 2:15-20)
The angel that announced the birth of Jesus Christ gave the shepherds a description saying, "you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger". The shepherds decided to go check out the news they were given.
They made the trip to see the newly born Messiah. When they got to Bethlehem, they be found the baby just as described by the angel in swaddling clothes. They worshiped. However, they did not only worship but were amazed at the grace of God to humanity.
Culturally, shepherds were not permitted to testify in court but, surprisingly, God used shepherds as the human witnesses that the prophecy of the birth of the Messiah has been fulfilled and the Messiah had been born.
Angels did not experience God's grace and so they cannot be witnesses like the shepherds.
The announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ made the shepherds to become evangelists. When they left the manger, they shared the good news with others.
A few lessons for us:
The shepherds are good examples for us to follow in our walk with God. They received the message by faith and then responded in obedience to look for the baby. They did not stop there, they also shared the good news with others, glorifying and praising God. They went back to their duties as new men.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us take a cue from the shepherds and make deliberate efforts to share the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ.
May the Lord help us so to do.