Inspired by Moses’ “Choose Life…Choose Obedience” theme, we’re looking at the obedience of the characters of Christmas, beginning with Zechariah and Elizabeth, followed by Mary and then Joseph. Today, the shepherds.

We don’t know a thing about the shepherds except what we read in Luke 2:

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them…And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2.8 – 20, ESV)

Such a great story! No one tells it better than Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Obedience? You bet. The angel says, “You will find a baby…” Only if they look!

The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste… (Luke 2.15, 16, ESV)

Then they did something not directly commanded but certainly understood as necessary: they told everyone!

Finally, they went back to work! They were at work when the angel appeared to them, and they returned to work.

Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all. (Mark 16.15, MSG)