Day 8 – While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night

Can you imagine being a shepherd simply minding your own business, and God supernaturally intervenes by sending a host of angels to speak with you? What was the shepherd’s first response? Fear.

That probably would have been our response, too. As humans, anything and everything unexpected or “out of the ordinary” seems to cause us to fear. And that is not God’s desire for us. One source says that “Fear not” appears 114 times in the Bible and “Do not fear” appears 200 times.

God never intended for us to fear when we encounter Him. He desires to be in relationship with us, a relationship of genuine awe, wonder and respect– but not fear.

When was the last time you encountered God? Did your heart seem to fill as you listened to a carol? Were you overjoyed and in awe when a prayer was answered that you had prayed for years? At a critical moment, were you saved from near disaster on the highway? God is constantly present and active in our lives if we only open our eyes to see the everyday miracles He performs.

We should never fear meeting with God. He comes to bring good news of great joy that can be ours through faith in His Son Jesus! And when we believe, His Holy Spirit is present in every moment of life to comfort, counsel, aid, encourage, and fill our souls with a sense of favor, goodwill, and well-being.

We are recipients of the final verse of this carol…”All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; to those on whom his favor rests goodwill shall never cease.”

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
an angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around. 

“Fear not,” said he for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind
“glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind. 

“To you, in David’s town, this day
is born of David’s line
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

“The heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all simply wrapped in swaddling clothes
and in a manger laid.”

Thus spoke the angel. Suddenly
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:

“All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
to those on whom his favor rests
goodwill shall never cease.”

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)