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The joyful news of the angels was not only meant for those shepherds who were keeping watch through the night over their flock, it was to bring joy to all people. When in Bethlehem the shepherds found the confirmation of what the angels of the Lord had told them so clearly, they did not remain silent about it. Praising and glorifying God they left the place of divine revelation and spread the words of the angel among the people. Luke 2:16-20 “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it
wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” They testified of what they had witnessed. The people of Israel were referred to the newly born Christ child, in whom they were to recognize salvation and the One who was to be Lord of His chosen people (Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

The souls constituting the prepared Bride of the Lamb, however, are being referred to the One who brings them salvation, but who moreover is their Bridegroom, who will come and fetch them to reward their loyalty and to crown their faith. The souls belonging to this Bride can in their trials and temptations lay claim to the comforting words: “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by the name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43: 1).

Let us not be put to shame by those shepherds who testified of the Saviour’s birth. We can testify of the imminent return of the King of kings, for the Spirit of the Lord has revealed it to us. This will be a day of indescribable joy for the people of God, this surety is our greatest joy at Christmas.