That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:8-14

A. An unshakable hope in God.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful

streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:1-3

Save your people! Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever. Psalm 28:9

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:20-21

O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Psalm 71:5

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentation 3:23-24

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6

B. They had to take action

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16

C. The shepherds had a strong desire to find Jesus

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, . . . The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:17-18,20

D. When God touches you, share it with others

Co-operate with the Holy Spirit by doing the following:

Ask God to reveal the condition of your heart.

Maintain close relationships with other believers.

Remember the power of TRUTH. Jesus is the truth!

It’s not about you; it’s about JESUS!

Share where you are.

It’s better to give than to receive.