A Night Like No Other

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

I try to imagine what it must have been like for those unsuspecting shepherds that night. It began as just another evening in the hill country near Bethlehem as they tended their flocks. The same stars under the same sky. The same smelly sheep they guarded day after day, night after night. The same wolves they had to chase away. The same diseases they cared for among their flock. The same grazing for food and water. The same searching for that lost sheep who was so prone to wander. Another routine night. Weren’t they all?

But not this night. Something was happening that day that would change their world. Something was happening that day that would change the course of history. Something greater than life itself, something supernatural, was happening in that little village of Bethlehem. And the shepherds would never be the same again.

For as they watched their flocks that night, they were suddenly jolted from their dark monotony of the shepherdhood and surrounded by the glory of the Lord in a brilliant display of brightness. In an instant they were terrified – an instinctive response for those who catch a vision of God’s glory. For who among sinful men is worthy to stand in the presence of His majesty?

But just as quickly their fears were relieved as the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 2:10). I did not come here tonight to bring the wrath of God’s judgment upon you, his words implied. I did not come to pronounce a message of doom and destruction, they soon understood. Then perhaps with the most joyous voice of pure delight and utter exhilaration ever heard by human ears, the angel declared: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

Surely in that moment the shepherds knelt there speechless. Astonished. Dazed. As in a dream from which they would surely awaken and resume their same ole watch. But before they could even begin to process this message, “Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14).

No, this was no ordinary night in Bethlehem. The sheep would be entrusted to God’s care tonight. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds just stared at one another for a moment and said, ‘Dude, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!’” (Luke 2:15, author’s translation).

I doubt they wasted much time in making tracks to find the baby in that manger. No stops at the drive-through for a sandwich and soda tonight. The message was clear. The invitation was theirs: Behold, your Savior! Bethlehem! Tonight!

And when they arrived and found Mary and Joseph and the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in the manger, just as the angel had said, what a wondrous, heart-pounding, thrilling moment that must have been for these lowly shepherds. Never before had they been summoned to the royal court. Never before had they been delivered an invitation to the ball. But this was a night like no other. There in the manger was the King, the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord – and they were the first to come and worship.

Unable to contain their joy, the shepherds raced through town blaring the news of the awe-inspiring events, giving praise and glory to God for it all. There would be nothing the same about these shepherds any more.

I pray that the wonder of Christ’s coming and the salvation He came to bring will change your life as you believe in Him, and that your heart will be filled with joy, praise and adoration for Christ Jesus this Christmas and always.