“The Shepherds: December 21,” Friend, Dec. 2015, 32
The Road to Bethlehem
The Shepherds: December 21
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8).
The shepherds waited and watched. Their flocks were nearby, grazing or dozing in the night. But the shepherds didn’t sleep. They had an important job. They took care of their sheep and made sure the animals had food and water. They also kept the sheep safe. A shepherd always had to be wide awake and watching for danger.
Then the shepherds saw something that frightened them, but it wasn’t a thief or a wolf. It was an angel! The angel told them not to be afraid. He had wonderful news for them. Jesus Christ, the Savior, had been born! The angel told the shepherds they would find the baby lying in a manger in the city of Bethlehem. Suddenly the sky was filled with angels singing and praising God. What an amazing sight!
The shepherds didn’t wait. They hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.