Christian Living

That Special Night

by paul hoffmaster
12/12/25
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I wonder what those shepherds were talking about as they were sitting around a fire watching over their flock on that cool December night.  Maybe they were discussing the Rabbi’s Sabbath message.  Lately, people were talking about the coming of the Messiah, and even a certain number of liberal Synagogues were teaching that it could be the year of His coming.  The conservative Synagogues stuck to the traditional legalism of the Law and continued to teach on the Torah and the 613 oral rules and regulations.

One of the Shepherds shared that the things that were happening pointed to the coming of the Messiah.  The Roman Empire had captured their land and disrupted their lifestyle.  They were in political and financial bondage, and it was becoming harder and harder to make ends meet.  He believed that the Messiah would come and redeem them and reestablish the Kingdom of Israel.  Another Shepherd smiled and shook his head, saying that people had been talking about the Messiah’s coming for generations, but no King.  Before the shepherds bedded down for the night, they checked on the sheep and then chose who would take the first watch.

What happened next would change their lives forever.  Suddenly, standing before them was an angelic being whose radiance engulfed the startled shepherds.  They were struck with fear, but the angel told them not to be afraid but rather rejoice, for that very night the Christ, the Messiah, was born in Bethlehem.  They were told the baby could be found wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  Then the heavens were opened, and a heavenly multitude was seen praising God and proclaiming that peace and goodwill have come to the earth.  As quickly as the angel appeared, he was gone.

The shepherds sat there in a state of shock.  What had just happened?  Was it a vision?  There was a discussion with many unanswered questions.  Finally, one of them said that the only way to verify if their experience was real was to go to Bethlehem and see if they could find the baby.  Since it was night and there was no way to search the city in the darkness, they decided to wait until the first light.  As the skies lightened, they hastened to Bethlehem, but where would they begin to look?  Separating, they began their search.  People were waking up, and the streets were becoming active.  Finally, after inquiring where a baby might have been born, they found the baby exactly as the angel had said, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

Their doubts became shouts of joy.  They stood before Mary and Joseph, talking over each other with excitement as they told what had happened outside the town.  They proclaimed that this baby was, in fact, the Messiah.  Mary let their words settle in her heart, pondering what she heard.  Soon, many of the town’s people gathered around the stable.  Upon hearing the shepherds, they marveled at what they heard.  Filled with unspeakable joy, the Shepherds returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God.

Today, there are many churches talking about the End Times and the return of Jesus.   Speculations abound around His appearance.  Just like the shepherds, He could come at any time.  In the meantime, let us “tend our sheep,” realizing why we are here, but also anticipating His coming.  Let us practice glorifying and praising God so we will be in fine voice when He returns.