The Shepherds and the Savior: Seeking and Savoring Christ at Christmas
One of my favorite parts of the Advent story is, undoubtedly, the shepherds.
These men were ordinary. Shepherds keeping watch over their flock through the long hours of the night beneath a starlit sky. Faithfully tending sheep. Doing what they had done countless nights before.
They had no idea that on the night of Christ’s birth, heaven would break into their ordinary rhythm. That the stillness of the field would be interrupted by a divine announcement declaring that the Savior had been born.
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’” Luke 2:8-10(ESV)
When Heaven Interrupts the Ordinary
Imagine it.
You are sitting in the field with your fellow shepherds, eyes trained on the flock, when suddenly the darkness gives way to glory. An angel appears before you, bearing news that will forever alter the course of history. And just as you begin to take it in, just as awe settles into your spirit, the sky fills with the sound of heaven itself, erupting in praise.
Fear and wonder collide in the same moment.
The ordinary becomes holy ground.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” (Luke 2:13-14)
A Faith That Moves Quickly
What I love most is what happens next.
The shepherds do not linger. They do not hesitate. They do not weigh the cost or calculate the risk of leaving their sheep behind.
They know the Great Shepherd has called them to go, and they respond immediately.
They hurry to the place they were told, eager to behold the Messiah with their own eyes.
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” (Luke 2:16)
A Lowly Savior for Lowly People
And there, they find Him.
Not in a palace, in comfort or prestige…
But born into humility.
God chose lowly men, mere shepherds, to receive the first announcement of this world-altering birth. And He sent His Son into the world in the same way. Without status or spectacle.
We may find ourselves wondering why Jesus did not receive a warmer welcome into the world. Why the King of all kings did not arrive with grandeur and honor.
But there is a message here we must not overlook: Jesus did not come for status. He came to give salvation.
God Meets Us in the Ordinary
The shepherds remind us that God meets us in ordinary places of faithfulness.
They were not in a temple. They were not performing religious duties. They were simply doing what God had already entrusted to them. And it was there, in the unnoticed field, that heaven broke through.
This is our encouragement.
God’s nearness is not reserved for polished moments or spiritual milestones. He meets His people in the quiet routines, the long nights, the faithful obedience that often feels unseen.
When Seeking Christ Changes Everything
The shepherds also teach us that obedience often carries a holy urgency.
When God revealed truth to them, they did not delay. Rather than dabbling with hesitancy concerning their sheep, their faith in the Great Shepherd moved their feet. Seeking Christ was not passive to the shepherds. It was responsive, active, and willing to leave lesser things behind in order to behold greater glory.
And when they encountered Him, they were changed.
They returned to their fields filled with joy, worship, and praise. An encounter with Christ always bears fruit. When He is truly seen, worship follows. Testimony overflows. Life is truly never the same.
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20)
A Call to Seek and Savor Christ
The invitation given to the shepherds is extended to us still.
Dear sister in Christ, the Lord does not wait for us to become impressive or arrive with worthy offerings. He invites us to come as we are.
To draw near. To behold Him. To savor the wonder of God with us!
May we be a people who do not rush past the manger in search of something louder or brighter. May we seek Christ with eagerness, savor Him with reverence, and return to our daily callings changed, glorifying God for what we have seen and heard.
The Savior has come.
And He is worthy of our attention, our affection, and our lives.
Meet the Author
Elle Cardel
Elle is a sinner saved by God’s grace. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Michael, and their two little loves, Selah (4) and Aidan (1). Elle is the founder of Daughter of Delight and the author of She Delights and its accompanying Bible study, which you can find here.
With a degree in biblical theology, Elle is passionate about helping women grow in their love for God’s Word through the Daughter of Delight podcast (currently on an extended break but there are so many episodes to enjoy in the meantime here), daily devotionals, and free biblical resources (find those here).
