THE GREAT BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

 
Like all proud parents, God was excited to announce the birth of His Son. But never had there been such a birth announcement and never will there be again. Let’s go back to first century Israel, in a shepherd’s field at night and listen to the real Christmas story. Let’s strip off all the tinsel and trappings and fa la la and see an even more beautiful picture of the love of a Father for His Son and for you and me! Meet me in Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem.
 

Before I spent time in Israel I imagined Shepherd’s Field, the place where angels announced the birth of Jesus to lowly shepherds like a big open grassy plain. A place of great beauty and open spaces… like on a Christmas card.
 
The picture below is of Shepherd’s Field today, not at all what I imagined but then most of what is true in the bible is not what many of us imagine!
Shepherd’s field is like much of Israel. Rocky and bleached by the sun. And in its own way very beautiful. Scraggly brush and hearty weather-worn trees dot the landscape.  Shepherd’s field consists of two sloping hillsides meeting in a narrow ravine.  
 
 
 
 
This is the real place the angel of the Lord suddenly stood before the shepherds with the glory of the Lord surrounding them frightening the poor shepherds almost to death!
 
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.   Luke 2:9- 10
 
This is the real place the angels came with a message from God to not only the shepherds but to the whole world… “a message of good news and great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
 
When I take away all my preconceived notions of what Shepherd’s field SHOULD look like and what I think happened I begin to see the simple and real truths of this passage.
 
Here, on an ordinary evening in an ordinary field in Israel were ordinary men of lowly status doing their ordinary job. They were probably like many of us going to work and maybe not loving it. They had real life problems and real life wants and needs. It was just another ordinary evening in the outskirts of Bethlehem two thousand years ago.
 
It was then and there God stepped into their lives! He had an announcement. Like a proud Abba ( Hebrew for Daddy) he told of the birth of His Son.  This is where the ordinary stopped and the incredible and extraordinary began!
 
The angel said, Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
 
To the ancient Jews, an ancient, orthodox, eastern thinker here is a little flavor of what they heard in those words…
 
Today in King David’s city “House Of Bread” the meaning of Bethlehem.. is born to youthe nation Israela Saviorthe one that had been foretold by the Prophets and long awaited, one who would SAVE his peopleChrist... the Greek word for the Hebrew word Messiah, meaning the Anointed One. Only kings, prophets and priest were anointed. Anointed means to have oil poured over one’s head as a  sign of being singled out and having the ability to do do a specific job the Lord…. creator, owner, in essence, God.
 
This was better than “good news”! This was the best news. The Jews had been waiting almost a thousand years for a Savior to come and free them from the bondage of occupation and oppression by foreign countries! And they were still waiting anxiously when this baby arrived.
 
But the angel said this was good news for all people.  Why would this be such good news to all men?
 
The chorus of heavenly angels who appear with this good news had the answer! They said,
 
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
 
Have you seen this on a Christmas card? Unfortunately, the verse on the Christmas card stops too soon. It leaves out a very important part! Here is another translation I like…
 
“among men with whom He is well pleased”.
 
Here is the good news for all people! Peace! The Hebrew word for peace is “Shalom”. It is a word rich in meaning, a word deep and wide with wholeness and well-being.
 
This peace that God is proclaiming brought about by His new Son is not the kind of peace we often read about on Christmas cards. Oh no! God is not saying peace on earth, as in no war. It is not the kumbaya kind of peace! Or the let’s all be one big happy family peace. No! No! No!
 
The peace God is proclaiming is so much better! It is a peace between Him and the people that please Him. You see the peace that this newborn King would bring was not a peace between men, but between us and God! We are all sinners and therefore enemies of God. Our relationship with God has been broken since the first man to walk the earth.
 
But God so loved us that He sent His Son in flesh to be the reconciliation between God and men.
John 3:16 says…
 
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
 
God so loved you and me He sent Jesus to be the way of reconciliation for the entire world. Jesus came to earth to save us from an eternity separated from God. He died in our place and those who accept Him and believe in Him are at peace with God. Those who believe in Jesus are those on whom God’s favor rests.
 
 
The shepherds watching their flocks in Shepherd’s field were the first to hear God’s birth announcement of His Son on the night He was born.  They heard God’s invitation of reconciliation and the priceless offer of peace in the angel’s praises and went seeking Him.  And they found Him! They found the Savior, the Christ, The Peacemaker, the Lord! He was lowly like them, lying in a food trough. 
 
Are you seeking too? Like the shepherds? If you are you WILL find Him too! 
 
“Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open unto you. For whoever asks receives, whoever seeks finds, and whoever knocks it shall be open.” Luke 7:7- 8
 
This verse is not about earthly things but about finding a relationship and peace with the only God of the universe!
 
Ask for God’s peace in your life! Seek the Savior with all your heart and knock on the door to a relationship with God Himself.  He will give and be found and answer you in a deep and personal way. A way tailored just for you! Just as he did for the shepherds so long ago.
 
 
I spent an evening in Shepherd’s field. It was an ordinary evening in an ordinary field in Israel.  But God stepped in and made it incredible and extraordinary. He impressed upon me the real truth about Shepherd’s Field and Peace on Earth!
 
This Advent season I wish your SHALOM! I wish you the true PEACE of God!
 
This week’s memorization verse:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
 
 
 

 
 

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25 Comments

  1. Thank you for this beautiful post about our savior, Yvonne. All week long I’ve been dealing with major issues. The peace I find in Christ is what keeps me going.
    Blessings,
    Rosemary

  2. Anonymous says:

    I also would like to thank you for this post. Words can not describe how powerfully it was written and how so much meaning came from it. I bookmarked it to reread! I stop by to check out your recipes, and thank you also for some wonderful recipes. Sara

  3. Anonymous says:

    What a wonderful post. God bless you yvonne.

    Yarlette

  4. Wow,thank you for sharing. I look at this field and wonder,however,how it has remained exactly the same. what I mean is,when you consider that over here there would probably be tourist shops surrounding it, garish souvenirs etc. I think much of the magic and miracle that is present is in the fact that it is still pure and untouched. Thank you for such a beautiful post . Sally xx

    1. I can’t help but wonder where “over here” is. There are so many beautiful untouched places in the USA if you look for them. I agree that the pictures of the Holy Land are both beautiful and haunting at the same time. It makes me feel bad that it results in such a negative assessment of where you live.

  5. If I may ask – I was wondering what Christian faith do you follow – Roman Catholic, Methodist, etc. It’s not important to this wonderful blog, just a question I’ve had.

  6. Good question Maryann… I was raised Catholic… was “born again” at 33… went to a Methodist Church that really wasn’t, it was more of a bible church… and now I am a member of Calvary Church in Lancaster Pa. It is a sound biblical church. Here is the link: http://calvarychurch.org/resources/about-us.

    Since 33 I have been a disciple of Jesus and of His word. I teach the bible and I am a speaker. I love to study the bible and see the changes it brings to my live and to others.

    Our bible study is always open to women… no matter the church affiliation, age, stage and no matter where they are in their faith.

    Gave more info than you asked… just thought you would like to know!

  7. Wonderful and beautiful, Yvonne. Thank You! I enjoy your Sunday posts and pictures very much.

  8. Yvonne, Thank You for sharing this beautifully written message! What a Blessing to have walked and spent time in Shepherd’s Field. I always look forward to your Sunday posts.

    Blessings,
    Emily

  9. Beautiful and powerful. Thank you Yvonne for your inspiring Sunday scripture…I look forward to it and walk away empowered with a much clearer understanding. I am a devout Roman Catholic born and raised but seeking to attain a better understanding of the Bible. Any pointers of where to begin, how to start my own personal Bible study?

    Blessings,
    Laura

    1. Sandi from Wisconsin says:

      Laura, I am Catholic, too. Does your parish church offer Bible Study courses? These are excellent and you may want to sign up. If not, perhaps another Catholic church in your city/area offers them. Everyone is welcome and you will get to interact with other Catholics and everyone learns from one another.

      1. I lead a big non-denominational Bible Study every week. I’m sure if you asked around you can find one. Just make sure it is a good Bible teaching Bible study.

      2. Thank you Sandy and Yvonne for the information. There is a study occasionally at our Church…but will investigate other Church offerings.

        Blessings and Merry Christmas!

  10. Sandi from Wisconsin says:

    Well written post! Your explanation of “Peace” really resonates. I love all we can all have “Peace” between ourselves and God. Christmas blessings!

  11. Rosanne Hodgens says:

    Thank you for your witness. You may be reaching those who do not know Christ as their savior.

  12. Yvonne, I always look forward to your Sunday message… thank you for such a beautiful message. Merry Christmas <3

  13. Cindy Lou Hoo says:

    A beautiful message ! Yes! This is what Christmas is about ! Peace!

  14. Shepherds field is amazing! That quiet hillside where the announcement was made to these shepherds!!!! That field is also where Ruth gleaned the field and met Boaz!!! A Kindsman Redeemer!!! God’s Word is so amazing and so detailed!!! Love the Word and Love Him More. Thank you for this fresh reminder.

  15. Brenda Zinck says:

    Loved the true message. I always enjoy reading your Sunday blogs. Thank you.

  16. I love you blog today. It is the wonderful Christmas gift from God, his son Jesus, that came to earth so that we can receive Salvation!!! Thank you.