What are the character of a shepherd?
He provided for them in terms of nourishment and rest. He guided them, leading the way. He was intimately involved with the flock and concerned for the safety of each individual. He was willing to sacrifice his own comfort, even his own life, for the sake of his sheep.
Why did the angels appear to the shepherds first?
Summary. There were shepherds taking care of their flocks at night. An angel appeared to them and told them not to be afraid as he brought good news, “This very day in David’s town your saviour was born – Christ the Lord!” They would find the baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger.
Who are shepherds in the Bible?
Metaphorically, the term “shepherd” is used for God, especially in the Judeo-Christian tradition (e.g. Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34), and in Christianity especially for Jesus, who called himself the Good Shepherd. The Ancient Israelites were a pastoral people and there were many shepherds among them.
What did the shepherds bring Jesus?
After the shepherds saw Jesus with their own eyes, the Bible says they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen (v. 20).” Author Eugene Peterson wrote in his book, The Message, that the shepherds “let loose, glorifying and praising God.”
Are there still shepherds in Bethlehem?
He is one of the few remaining Christian shepherds in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. He has been tending flocks of sheep and goats for more than six decades. On the day we visited his small farm in Beit Jala, on the outskirts of Bethlehem, there had been good news.
What is the significance of the shepherds in the Christmas story?
All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.