The visit of the shepherd (Luke 2:8-20) - JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

Before the visit of the wise men, some shepherds had visited the baby Jesus. This happened on the night that Jesus was born. There were some shepherds in Bethlehem who were looking after their flock in the open field. An angel of the Lord appeared to announce the birth of Jesus to them and the whole place shone brightly. The shepherds became frightened but the angel told them not to be afraid because he had brought them good news:

“Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign for you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Immediately the angel finished speaking, many angels came to join him praising God saying:

 ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased.’

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another:

 ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’

So they went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger.

The shepherds narrated their encounter with the angels and what was said concerning Jesus. All the people who heard it wondered at what the shepherds had told them. But Mary, who alone understood all that had happened, kept everything to herself. The shepherds then returned to the field, glorifying and praising God for the birth of the Saviour of all mankind.