So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

Still tracking with the shepherds today, they follow through on the information they received and go to find Mary and Joseph.

Other than his earthly parents they become the first eye witnesses to the birth of Christ. That’s some title.

The shepherds didn’t just ignore the message in the first place, but they went to find the Christ child. A model response at the start.

Then their model response continues after seeing the baby in the manger. They don’t just keep it to themselves but they share the news. They become evangelists.

They also appear to become an overnight evangelism success story, as the Bible says, “all who heard it were amazed”.

All.

Last time I checked, ‘all’ was a lot. Quite a large number in fact.

That’s one large scale, highly effective ministry. They appear to be the exemplar response on strategic gospel ministry as well.

As I said a few days ago, the shepherds pack a punch to the storyline.

They do everything right. You can’t fault them.

They hear the word of the Lord. Then they obey. Then they share what they know and many people listen and are amazed.

Those shepherds sure got themselves a preaching gig pretty quickly, just by hearing, obeying and doing.

But I guess that’s all God ever asks us to do. For it’s the heart that matters in the end. And the shepherds show themselves to have spiritual hearts of gold.

Yours in applause,

Alison