Susan and I were blessed to be able to visit the Holy Land last November. One of our stops was the Shepherds Field in Bethlehem. A chapel is built at that location right now where, according to tradition, the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus. The pictures in this webpage were taken from that chapel. And that's where we were when our guide asked this question.
Others from our group offered additional insights to the role of the shepherds. But then our guide provided another perspective. You see, the shepherds were not just passive participants of the Christmas story; they actually have a very active role. This perspective can come from someone familiar with the terrain and local practices in the area. And that is, shepherds constantly move their flocks from one pasture fields to another --- to one village to another, then to one more village! Thus, the shepherds knew what's going on from one village to another and played a role of spreading news and information on what's happening in the region.
Luke 2: 17-18 states:
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.
They "spread the word" as they moved their pastures from town to town telling people what they witnessed. The shepherds may have been the social media influencers at that time (sans the financial incentives from today's social media influencers). They went ahead and spread the news on what they have found -- the birth of the Messiah.
As we celebrate this Christmas, may the story of the shepherds inspire us to do our part spreading the news of the Messiah -- so that more may know Him and the reason why He came to earth.
The past 2 years have not been easy for everyone. We continue to rebuild the disruptions caused by the pandemic, trying to move on with some semblance of normalcy. As we look forward for this coming year, may the song the angels sang to the shepherds two thousand years ago carry us through:
Luke 2:14 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Merry Christmas and a blessed New 2023. And for our friends who supported us these past years, a big Thank You!