Insights
You may have heard that the shepherds wouldn't have been out in the fields in December, and that's probably true. There are several indications that Christ's birth was probably in late September, which means that the conception (1:26-38) took place in late December! Don't get hung up on details; it is important that all this actually happened.
Have you noticed that when an angel appears to someone in the Bible, almost always the first thing he has to say is along the lines of, "Don't be afraid"? It's interesting that the first people to be told of the Messiah's birth were shepherds. They were considered the scum of society, almost outcasts. But these shepherds must have been devout and holy men, seeking God, because it was to them the angel appeared with his wondrous news. Tradition says this was the archangel Michael-he didn't tell them that they should seek out the child, but he probably assumed that they would want to, and explained to them how to recognize Him. Bethlehem was a small town, and there would be only one newborn baby boy lying in a manger!
And then, to complete the announcement, an army of angels too large for them to count appeared, "praising God," then ascended into heaven. The shepherds had no doubts about the truth of the message, and decided to go see this wonderful happening for themselves.
So What?
The message of Christ's birth is for everyone, "good news of great joy that will be for all the people." You can't go today and find a baby in a manger, but you can find evidence of His truth. However, you have to seek Him with a sincere heart. As you praise God, you will find His peace His peace. (John 14:27)
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