“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
Introduction
The passage Luke 2:15 draws us into a pivotal moment in the Christmas narrative. After the glorious announcement to the shepherds, the heavenly host departs and leaves the shepherds with a divine invitation: to go and see the child who has been born in Bethlehem. This verse invites us to wonder at the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan, to respond with faith, and to seek a personal encounter with the Savior Jesus Christ, wrapped in humility and awe.
Historical-Cultural Context and Authorship
The Gospel of Luke presents this scene as part of the nativity story that emphasizes ordinary people—shepherds—receiving extraordinary revelation. Luke, a careful historian and companion of the Apostle Paul, writes for a largely Gentile audience, highlighting themes of witness, invitation, and rejoicing. In the first-century Jewish and Roman world, shepherds were considered modest, often overlooked individuals. Yet God chooses to reveal the birth of Jesus to them, underscoring the universal reach of God’s salvation and the reversal of human expectations.
Characters and Places
- The shepherds: humble, attentive to God’s messages, and responsive to the divine invitation.
- The angels (though they depart): messengers who declare the good news and point to Bethlehem.
- Bethlehem: the small town where Jesus is to be born, signifying God’s intimate proximity to humanity.
- The setting: the fields near the region of Bethlehem, where a divine announcement interrupts ordinary night-watches.
Explanation and Meaning of the Text
This verse records a transition from heavenly proclamation to human response. The angels depart into heaven, and the shepherds immediately decide to act: “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.” The passage highlights two essential dynamics: revelation and response. God reveals the miraculous child’s birth, and the shepherds respond with purposeful action—an invitation to witness and then testify. It reminds readers that faith is not only belief but movement toward God’s purposes in the world. The phrase “which the Lord hath made known unto us” emphasizes that the knowledge is a gracious gift from God, inviting dependence, worship, and celebration.
Devotional
The shepherds’ immediate response to God’s revelation invites us to consider our own readiness to move toward Jesus when God speaks. In a world filled with noise, may we cultivate listening hearts that recognize God’s messages and respond with adventurous trust.
The Christmas story culminates in worship and witness: encountering Christ transforms fear into praise, and curiosity into proclamation. May we, like the shepherds, return to our daily lives carrying the good news of a Savior who is near.