The shepherds were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth.

They heard angels singing and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

After the angels left, the shepherds said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.”

So, they went to the village and found everything the angel told them they would find — Mary, Joseph, and a baby lying in the manger.

After seeing the baby Jesus, the shepherds’ hearts were full of amazement, joy, and excitement. They could not wait to tell everyone about the angels they had seen and the message they had heard. They were overjoyed that the heavenly message was true: they had actually seen the baby the angels told them about.

And then the shepherds returned to their sheep. Their lives didn’t stop because they had met Jesus, but you can be sure they were forever changed. How could they have ever forgotten the night they were chosen by God to be the first to meet the Messiah?

It truly was a holy night for the shepherds. I pray that you also experience Jesus’ presence in this Christmas season.