Candle in the Night: 31 Days to Christmas Day 13: Isaiah’s Prophecies and the Shepherds

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

For years, the Jewish people looked forward to Christ’s birth. They longed for a deliverer. They waited in anticipation for the One who would set them free.

Luke 2:10-12

But the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the way you shall find the babe, he is wrapped in swaddling clothes, and is lying in a manger.

Yet when He came, the announcement of His birth was made to only the shepherds.

Why was this? Why didn’t the angels go to every Jewish household?

Luke 2:17-18

And when they had seen, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. All they who heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds;

It was the shepherds who told the world of the Baby’s birth.
The shepherds were the ones who announced His arrival.

John 10:1-7, 11-15

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them; but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheepfold.

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. And the shepherd is not as a hireling, whose own the sheep are not, who seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth the sheep and scattereth them. For I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

But he who is a hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Could it be that God in His infinite wisdom knew that the shepherds would be the only ones to truly recognize the Child as a King? Others might see the Baby as a lowly shepherd, but the shepherds saw this particular Shepherd as a King. They recognized the Lamb or God when they saw Him.

In truth, He fills all these roles.

He is our caring, loving, correcting shepherd.