The First to Witness: Shepherds of Bethlehem

Home Doctrines Spiritual Words

2024-12-27

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Time flows like a river, with generations passing in the blink of an eye. Once again, the eagerly awaited Christmas season is upon us. The Scriptures tell of a group of unnamed shepherds in the field of Bethlehem who witnessed the most extraordinary event of their lives -- the birth of Jesus Christ. Despite their low social status, these shepherds were the first to hear the angels’ proclamation and to worship the newborn Savior. This illustrates God’s grace and love for all humanity.

Photo by Martin Schmidli on Unsplash

The birth of Jesus transformed these shepherds from unknown figures into central characters of the Christmas story, whom we often talk about in this season. Though their names are not recorded in the Bible, their love for God and their role as the first witnesses of Christ’s birth have been preserved through history, inspiring generations of Christians to pursue their faith with unity and passion.

But why did the angels choose to share this joyous news with these shepherds instead of religious leaders like the Pharisees, priests, or scribes? Who were these shepherds, and what made them special?

They Were Diligent and Courageous

Among the Israelites, shepherding was often seen as undesirable and lowly. The demanding nature of the work made it difficult for shepherds to strictly follow religious rituals, such as ceremonial handwashing, so they were often considered ritually unclean. Additionally, their prolonged absences from the temple led to disdain from the Orthodox elite. Yet ironically, the sheep they tended -- especially in Bethlehem, as it was so close to Jerusalem -- were likely to be used for temple sacrifices.

Despite this, these shepherds were diligent and courageous. It was in the midst of their hard work that they first heard the angels’ message of great joy.

Diligence and courage have been esteemed virtues in Chinese culture since ancient times. As the Shang Shu says, “Be diligent in serving the country and frugal in managing your household.” Similarly, the Bible teaches, “My Father is always working, and so am I” (John 5:17). Christians are called to work diligently in all aspects of life -- whether in their professions or in spiritual practices like reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, and serving. As Proverbs 6:6-8 reminds us, “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise. Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”

They Were Vigilant and Faithful

Shepherding was not only labor-intensive but also fraught with danger. Shepherds had to remain constantly vigilant to protect their flocks from predators. Jacob described his experience in Genesis 31:40: “I worked for you through the scorching heat of the day and through cold and sleepless nights.” Similarly, David recounted to Saul, “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it” (1 Samuel 17:34). Clearly, being a shepherd required unwavering alertness.

As Christians, we too are called to be vigilant, watching over our families, our churches, and our own spiritual lives. The shepherds also demonstrated faithfulness in their positions, caring for their flocks with dedication. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). By following Jesus’ example, shepherds ensured their flocks were well-tended and protected.

Because of their vigilance and faithfulness, the shepherds were blessed to witness the glory of God’s love on a cold winter night. Though they were surrounded by darkness, God’s light shone upon them, revealing their deep faith in the coming Messiah. Today, no matter where we are or what challenges we face, God’s light will guide us if we earnestly seek Him.

They Pursued with One Mind

When the angels announced the good news, they said, “‘The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ After the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’” (Luke 2:11-15). United in purpose, the shepherds immediately agreed to go together.

As the Song dynasty poet Ouyang Xiu once said, “People with one mind can accomplish great things and remain united as always.” Similarly, the Lvshi Chunqiu observes, “When ten thousand people aim at the same target, no arrow will miss.”

The shepherds wasted no time. Despite the distance and the cold night, they hurried to Bethlehem, eager to see the long-awaited Messiah. Their determination and willingness to endure hardship allowed them to find the Savior.

Luke 2:16 records, “They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.” The word “found” suggests a deliberate search. Following the angels’ instructions, the shepherds diligently sought and discovered Jesus, marking the most significant moment of their lives.

They Were Obedient and Compliant

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (James 1:22). When the shepherds heard the angels’ message, they acted immediately, without hesitation or excuses. Their obedience was complete. In contrast, many today might say, “I’ll go to church after I retire”, or “I will go to church after my children get married,” or “I’ll serve God after my children are old enough for schooling.” But time waits for no one. When God calls, we must respond without delay.

As Scripture says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). Jesus also taught, “My mother and brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it” (Luke 8:21). The shepherds’ example reminds us that hearing and doing God’s word go hand in hand.

They Were Messengers of the Good News

Not only did the shepherds hear and obey the word, but they also became messengers of the Good News. The Scriptures notes their immediate response to what the angels’ proclamation, showing that they seized the moment to share the joyous news with others. As Luke 2:20 records, they were “glorifying and praising God” for what they had heard and seen.

After receiving the incredible news of the Messiah’s birth, these shepherds wasted no time. They truly experienced God’s grace and glory, and out of the love for others, they were filled with a sense of urgency to share this good news with their friends and family. As Luke 2:17 notes, “They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this kid.” Their focus was not on promoting the extraordinary vision they had witnessed, but on proclaiming God’s message -- the birth of Christ, the heart of the gospel. This illlustates that our service can be effective if we center on the core of the gospel. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you” (1 Corinthians 11:13). Similarly, when we experience God’s grace and witness the work of God in our lives, we should proclaim His holy name without delay.

The testimony of the shepherds astonished their listeners. Although the Bible does not record whether those who heard the message immediately believed it, their strong reactions demonstrate the profound impact of shepherds’ efforts.

After fulfilling their mission, the shepherds quietly returned to their work. Their humility, sincerity, and dedication serve as a model for all believers who should bear the same holy duty to proclaim the gospel of our Savior.

Conclusion

The unnamed shepherds of Bethlehem were the first to celebrate the birth of Jesus, marking the earliest Christmas worship. Though their names remain unknown, their actions have inspired generations. They were diligent, courageous, vigilant, faithful, united, obedient, and eager to share the gospel. By following their example, we can experience a more meaningful Christmas and grow deeper in our faith.

Author: Shi Yaping

Translator: Bei Feng

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