The Road to Bethlehem

The Shepherds: December 21

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8).

flocks: groups of sheep and lambs

The shepherds waited and watched. Their flocks were nearby, grazing or dozing in the night. But the shepherds didn’t sleep. They had an important job. They took care of their sheep and made sure the animals had food and water. They also kept the sheep safe. A shepherd always had to be wide awake and watching for danger.

Then the shepherds saw something that frightened them, but it wasn’t a thief or a wolf. It was an angel! The angel told them not to be afraid. He had wonderful news for them. Jesus Christ, the Savior, had been born! The angel told the shepherds they would find the baby lying in a manger in the city of Bethlehem. Suddenly the sky was filled with angels singing and praising God. What an amazing sight!

The shepherds didn’t wait. They hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.

Share the Light

Sheep learn to trust their shepherd, and they go to him when he calls. Each sheep is important to its shepherd. Jesus Christ called Himself the Good Shepherd. You are a sheep in His flock, and He loves you and wants to bless and protect you. Have you ever noticed that a candy cane is the same shape as a shepherd’s crook? When you see candy canes this Christmas, think about how Jesus is the Good Shepherd. What can you do to follow Him? To read more about the shepherds, read Luke 2:8–18.