Day 3 — Good News for Shepherds

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!’”

— Luke 2:10–11 (BSB)

On the night Jesus was born, a group of shepherds was out in the fields near Bethlehem, watching their sheep. It was dark and quiet. Maybe they were telling stories around a fire, or trying to stay awake.

Suddenly an angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. The shepherds were terrified! But the angel said, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy.”

Then the sky filled up with a huge crowd of angels, praising God: “Glory to God in the highest!”

Here’s something surprising. If you were God and you wanted to announce the birth of your Son, who would you tell first? Kings? Priests? Rich and famous people? God chose shepherds.

In those days, shepherds weren’t important people. They were poor. They smelled like sheep. They lived outdoors and worked long, lonely nights. Some people looked down on them. But God sent His angels to them first.

That tells us something important: the good news about Jesus is “for all the people.” Not just for the popular kids, the smart kids or the kids with the nicest clothes. For everyone.

Look at what the angel called Jesus:

• A Savior. Someone who rescues. Jesus came to save us from our sins.
• Christ. This means the Chosen One, the King God had promised for hundreds of years.
• The Lord. The one in charge of everything.

What did the shepherds do? They didn’t just say, “Wow, cool,” and go back to sleep. They hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby, just as the angel said. Then they told everyone what they had seen, and they went back to their fields praising God.

That’s what happens when you meet Jesus. You can’t keep it to yourself.

Think about it: Why do you think God announced Jesus’ birth to shepherds first instead of to kings?

Try this: The shepherds told everyone about Jesus. Tell one person today something you love about Jesus.

Dear God, thank You for sending good news for all the people, including me. Thank You that Jesus is my Savior, the Christ and the Lord. Help me be like the shepherds, who hurried to find Jesus and then told everyone about Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.