Heaven’s First Announcement: Shepherd’s Story

The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is celebrated every December, but unlike any ordinary birthday, His birth is surrounded by miracles that still leave us in awe. When we look deeper into the Christmas story, we don’t just see a baby in a manger — we witness heaven touching earth, angels breaking the silence of the night, and a divine plan unfolding before humble hearts. These are moments of wonder that stretch far beyond what the human mind can fully comprehend.

Throughout this season of December, we are uncovering the deeper truths found in the birth of Jesus. Last week, we reflected on Mary’s faith, Joseph’s obedience, and the journey they undertook — discovering how heaven’s good news transformed ordinary lives forever.

The birth of our Lord began with Mary’s faith and Joseph’s obedience, revealing our Savior, God’s only begotten Son, sent into the world for our salvation.

This week, we turn our focus to the very heart of Christmas — the greatest announcement ever made: good news delivered from heaven to earth. Remarkably, this message was not given to kings or scholars, but to simple shepherds watching over their flocks by night:

[Luke 2:10 NIV] 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Manger – The Place Where Jesus Was Born

Mary was promised by the Angel -  [Luke 1:31-32 NIV] 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

After Mary surrendered herself as the Lord’s servant, the baby grew in her womb. While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born, Scripture records it in Luke 2:6–7.

[Luke 2:6-7 NIV] 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.

Jesus was born in a manger not by accident, but by God’s design.

Though He was promised a throne — the throne of His father David, fulfilling God’s promise in 2 Samuel 7:12–16, He did not receive royal treatment at His birth. The King of kings entered the world in humility.

What is a Manger?

• A manger was a feeding place for animals.

• During that time, it was common for sheep pens to have mangers in them.

• But it was not a normal place for a baby. Families usually prepared a proper and warm place for newborns, yet Jesus was laid in a manger to show that He came without earthly status or honour.

• This humble beginning revealed God’s heart. Jesus came lowly, not with earthly power, but with divine purpose.

The manger also became a sign. The angel told the shepherds: [Luke 2:12 NIV] 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Shepherds and the Good News: Lessons from the First Witnesses

[Luke 2:9-12 NIV] 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Glory and Good News Come Together

When the angel appeared to the Shepherds what did that happen?  [Luke 2:9 NIV] 9 “and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”

• The shepherds were ordinary people, simply watching over their sheep. In that time, shepherds were considered lowly and overlooked, living among the sheep and staying outside the towns. Yet God chose them first to receive the greatest news in history.

• When the angel appeared, the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds, and they were filled with fear and awe. This was not ordinary fear, but a reverent fear of God.

• This shows us an important truth: God reveals His glory to humble hearts. The good news of the Messiah was announced first to the lowly — by God’s design — reminding us that God welcomes the humble into His kingdom.

Good News for the Lowly

Good news was delivered to the Shepherds - [Luke 2:10-11 NIV] 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord

• This reveals God’s wisdom, which is different from human wisdom. While people would choose the powerful or influential, God chose the lowly to bring Him glory: [1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NIV] 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

• The message of salvation was given to those without power or position, yet it was meant to bring great joy for all people. Heaven knows how to reach every heart.

A Sign They Could Understand

[Luke 2: 12 NIV] 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

• God gave different signs to different people:

  • For the Magi, God used a star (Matthew 2:1-2).

  • For the shepherds, God gave a simple sign — a manger.

• This sign spoke directly to them, showing that God meets people where they are.

Heaven’s worshiped king

[Luke 2:13-14 NIV] 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

• When the good news was announced to the shepherds, heaven also rejoiced. [Luke 2: 13 NIV]13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God

• There was celebration in heaven, as a great company of the heavenly host appeared, praising God and saying: [Luke 2:14 NIV] 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

• Jesus was worshiped from the moment of His birth. The heavenly host came down to earth to praise Him, declaring glory to God and peace on earth. Good news comes to us along with the Peace of Heaven.

• Jesus is worshiped in heaven even now, seated on the highest throne. The heavenly beings never stop praising Him: [Revelation 4:8 NIV] 8…“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

• Before the shepherds worshiped Him on earth, heaven worshiped Him first, because He is the Son of the Most High and the King forever.

• As Scripture declares: [Luke 1:32–33 NIV] “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High… He will reign forever; His kingdom will never end.”

Shepherds Used for God’s Ministry

God used ordinary shepherds for His ministry. Though they were simple and overlooked people, God chose them to witness the birth of Jesus and become part of His redemptive plan, we read that in [Luke 2:15-20 NIV]

[Luke 2:15-20 NIV] 15 When the angels had left them and gone into 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." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Spirit of Obedience in the Shepherds

• When ordinary people are touched by God, a spirit of obedience follows immediately. [Luke 2:15 NIV] 15 When the angels had left them and gone into 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."

• The shepherds did not delay. This is implicit obedience. Which God excepts from us

• The manger was not close by, and they likely searched through the town in the middle of the night. Along with the good news, God gave them zeal and urgency to seek and honour the newborn King. [Luke 2:16 NIV] 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger

• When we seek Him sincerely, God graciously reveals Himself.

From Shepherds to Evangelists

• After seeing Jesus, the shepherds could not keep the news to themselves: [Luke 2:17 NIV] 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child

• There was no fear, hesitation, or concern about status. They spoke boldly and simply about what they had seen and heard.

• People were amazed by their testimony: [Luke 2:18 NIV] 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

• Ordinary shepherds became evangelists and worshipers. [Luke 2:20 NIV] 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Mary Treasures all these

[Luke 2:19 NIV] 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

• While the shepherds shared the good news, Mary quietly reflected on everything, remembering that she was the first to hear the angel’s message about this miraculous event.

• Imagine the heart of gratitude Mary must have had, knowing she was chosen to bring the Messiah into the world.

Five Lessons from this Shepheard’s Good News

1. God reveals His glory to humble hearts. - He chose ordinary shepherds, showing that humility matters more than status. He is the same yesterday / today and for ever, if we humble he is willing to reveal his glory to us as well.

2. God’s greatest work often begins in humble places. - The Savior was born in a manger, reminding us not to despise small beginnings. He Needs us to start his work in small things which we feel insignificant, Surrender to him in small tasks , his glory will be revelled

3. When God speaks, obedience should be immediate. - The shepherds did not delay; they went at once to see what the Lord had revealed. When God speaks to us obedience should follow, Satan wants us to disobey God’s work thru procrastination and delays, Don’t delay further. Obey immediate, it comes from your Self. God cannot make you obey unless you yield to this obedience.

4. Peace is the sign of good news — heaven declared God’s peace on earth when the joy was announced to the shepherds. Likewise when the Good news catches you and God shapes you, he gives you the inner peace that the world cannot give, that’s the mark of his sign that you have accepted and he has imparted the Good news to you.

5. A true encounter with Jesus leads to testimony and worship. - The shepherds shared the good news and returned praising God. When God meets his good news, there is transformation inside out, nothing can stop the light from shining the hill.