On that night of nights when Christ was born, the shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their flocks were in an enviable position. For such a night as this, ambition would make one desire to be among those shepherds by Bethlehem.
These were no ordinary shepherds. It is believed that these shepherds kept dedicated flocks destined for the Temple sacrifices and the Passover feast. These sheep and lambs then were typical of the “Lamb of God,” whose birth the angels announced to their shepherds.
The Good Tidings and Great Joy was this: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). They were instructed as to how they might recognize Him by these words, “… wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12)
Suddenly, with the announcement to men, the hosts of heaven’s angels could not contain their praise and burst forth in a “Gloria” never before or since heard on earth, but to be echoed in heaven in the day all the saints sing together at their Redeemer’s feet, “… Thou art Worthy … for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).
May we join the angel chorus in praise to the Son of God.