15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. 21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
2:15
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another,
After the angels departed, the shepherds began to discuss what they had heard from him.
“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass,
The shepherds decided to visit the scene; they had no misgivings about taking the angel at his word.
which the Lord has made known to us.”
The shepherds did not mention the intermediary angel but attributed their experience to the Lord, who revealed the information.
4:16
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
The shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the Babe. They located the child just as the angel had prophesied (Mt 2:12).
4:17
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
The shepherds were the first evangelists; they immediately experienced an exercise of their faith.
4:18
And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Everyone who heard the testimony of the shepherds became amazed at what they heard.
4:19
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Mary still did not fully comprehend what had happened to her. She thought deeply about the events swirling about her.
4:20
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
The shepherds’ encounter with Christ’s birth marked them profoundly, which they expressed by glorifying and praising God for what they had seen.
4:21
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Eight days after Jesus’ birth, they circumcised Him, which was a sign of someone identified with the Abrahamic Covenant.
They called the babe “Jesus,” which the angel had given them.
PRINCIPLE:
It is usual for people to share their faith once they come to grips with the gospel.
APPLICATION:
Once people embrace the gospel, they normally tell others about it. Newborn Christians are more likely to share their faith than someone who has been a Christian for many years.
