The Magi were not the first to visit Him. This distinction went to a group of shepherds near Bethlehem. The shepherds did not have position, power, or prestige. They would not have had money or influence. They were not educated, and they were considered one of the lowest levels of society.
Amazingly, the shepherds were the first ones to whom God revealed the birth of the Savior, and He did so in spectacular fashion. The shepherds were in the field, watching over their sheep, when an angel of God appeared to them with a proclamation of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus. As the angel was delivering his message, he was joined by a multitude of angels who were praising God for what He had done through the birth of Jesus. Their appearance was accompanied by the “glory of the Lord,” which shimmered all around the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20).
The angel told them just enough information to be able to know when they found Jesus, but that was all. The shepherd's immediate reaction was to go find Jesus. They went “in a hurry” straight to Bethlehem and found the newly born Jesus. They left their visit, perhaps becoming the first evangelists during their return back, “glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.”
The most significant aspect of the shepherd's journey to Bethlehem was their immediate obedience to the revelation they received from God. He spoke to them through an angel, and the shepherds were not content to just hear about Jesus. They were determined to have a personal encounter with the Savior of the world.
The shepherds responded to God’s revelation, and the end result was them “glorifying and praising God.” Dare to Ask God to lead you to a place of fulfillment in our Savior, and let His presence be your glorious reward this Christmas.
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God’s passion for His people can not be extinguished. Do you embody this same passion?