Luke 2:15-20

After the shock of what has just happened to them these irreligious, tough shepherds behave just as you would hope. Instead of sitting around their fire keeping warm and discussing what just occurred until they talked themselves out of responding they get up and go.  They leave in a hurry, urgently, to find this baby. There may not have been many babies born that night but finding the right one probably took a little while. They don’t give up until they have found him.

We have no sense of the time scale of this part of the story, but as soon as they have visited with this family and shared what happened they go and tell everyone what they’ve witnessed, and who the angel said this baby was. Everyone is astonished, as well they might be. I wonder what Mary and Jospeh thought when these rough men turned up to find the baby with this incredible story. Mary ponders all of this in her heart – it is another confirmation of this baby’s identity.

Finally, the shepherds go back to their flocks with joy in their hearts, glorifying God for what he has done. The shepherd’s response contrasts strongly with that of Herod and the Jewish priests’ response to the wise men. They showed no desire to go and see for themselves, as we will find out tomorrow.

Reflection

Maybe you have already found Jesus or perhaps you are still on that journey, either way we can follow the shepherd’s example. If you are searching, then do it urgently and don’t stop until you find him. If you have already encountered him then the shepherd’s act of bearing witness to what they experienced, and worshipping God is an example for us to follow.