Day 4 – When the Shepherds Worshiped

On a quiet night in the fields near Bethlehem, heaven broke into the ordinary. A group of anonymous shepherds—the overlooked and unimportant—were surrounded by the glory of God. The first announcement of the Savior’s birth didn’t come to kings or scholars, but to humble workers keeping watch over their flocks.

Luke tells us that an angel appeared to them, and “the glory of the Lord shone around them.” Their first response was fear, but the angel’s words were full of joy:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11 ESV)

The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found exactly what had been promised: “a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12 ESV)

That simple scene captures the heart of Advent—the infinite God made visible in humility.

Their worship was not planned or rehearsed. It was spontaneous, born of awe. Like Isaiah, who saw the Lord high and exalted and cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:3 ESV), the shepherds encountered the holiness of God and could not remain silent. True worship always moves us from where we are toward the presence of God.

Psalm 95:6 (ESV) invites us:

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

The shepherds did exactly that—they left their flocks to draw near to the Savior. When they saw Him, they offered not gold or incense, but amazement and testimony. Scripture says,

“They made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child and returned, glorifying and praising God.” (Luke 2:17, 20 ESV)

Their worship overflowed into witness. They could not keep silent about what they had seen.

John Piper wrote, “True worship is not a duty but the response of a heart that has seen the beauty of Christ.” That’s what happened that night—the humble and the holy met, and joy erupted.

Hebrews 12:28 (ESV) calls us to “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.”

Worship is not entertainment; it is surrender. Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV) reminds us that one day “every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” The shepherds were the first in a long history of worshipers who bowed before the newborn King.

Advent invites us to join them. Christmas is not just the memory of a past event—it’s an invitation to respond as they did, with reverent joy and living testimony. When Christ is born in the heart, worship becomes inevitable.

Practical Reflection:

• How do you express your worship when you behold Christ?

Is it routine, or a response of wonder and gratitude?

Take a few minutes today to worship like the shepherds—with silence, joy, and awe.