Working the Night Shift

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.” Luke 2:8 NLT

            Many people need to work the night shift, midnight shift, or third shift whatever term you would like to use. Whether in manufacturing, medical facilities, emergency units, law enforcement, or the 24/7 grocery and convenient stores. These individuals are working when most of us are asleep. They put in their typical work day (or night) during unfavorable hours. But they have a job to do and they perform the tasks that are assigned to them. Most nights are uneventful and then you have one of those nights when the unexpected happens.

            Two thousand years ago the unexpected happened in a shepherd’s field just outside of Bethlehem. The shepherds were working the night shift. Their job was mainly overnight security. They worked as night watchmen guarding and protecting the sheep from predators and thieves. Most nights were quiet, a matter of routine and at times extremely boring. But this night was different. The birth of a baby boy a short distance away would change their lives forever.

            Jesus, the promised Messiah, was born that night. So magnificent was His birth that a host of angels came down from heaven to announce it. Who were the first recipients of this good news, those who were awake; the working shepherds. The first angel appeared before the shepherds and announced, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:10-11 NLT) Then, “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” (Luke 2:13-14 NLT) The announcement made to the shepherds many years ago can still be heard today through the church and through individuals proclaiming a Savior has been born, Christ the Lord!