I wonder what it would be like to have interviewed the Christmas shepherds. I imagine that it would have gone something like this:

"Hey guys. How are you doing?"

"Well, we have been out in this field for weeks now. I hope that we don't smell too bad for you. We don't notice it anymore."

"No problem. I am writing a sermon for an Advent service and the theme is 'Who are these guys watching sheep and why are they praising God?' So I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions."

"Sure, but we don't have many people that want to write stuff about us. Mostly people just make fun of shepherds or avoid us at all costs."

"Why is that?"

"We have to stay out here all the time to take care of the sheep. So we can't do all religious things that the Pharisees tell us to do. Some people don't trust us very much because they think we are thieves. Do you know that there is law against shepherds serving as witnesses in courtroom trials?"

"I didn't realize that. That's a shame. Being a shepherd used to be an honorable job. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David were all shepherds. That is really too bad. So is it safe to assume that you don't have a very good reputation in Judah?"

"Yeah, that is a safe assumption. But people don't realize that we put our lives on the line everyday for these sheep. We never know when a wild animal or a robber will come after these defenseless creatures."

"Huh, I don't think most people realize the danger of being a shepherd. Can I ask you a few questions about the night Jesus was born?"

"Yeah, we love to talk about that!"

"Well, what happened that night?"

"We were just sitting in this field. It was chilly and dark, but we had a campfire going to keep warm. It had been a long day and we were getting ready to go to sleep. And then in a flash, this angel appeared! It was magnificent! But at the same time, we were quite scared. Then the angel spoke to us and told us not to be afraid."

"Wait a minute! The angel appeared to you in a bright light and told you not to be afraid. I think I would have been shaking in my sandals."

"The angel told us that he was bringing us good news so we didn't have to be scared."

"What was the good news?"

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you - He is Christ the Lord."

"Wow! Did you know what that meant at the time?"

"Absolutely, we had been waiting for a Savior for a very long time. And then we were told that the Savior was actually born in Bethlehem, David's town. The angel also told us how to find the baby. The Baby would be wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. At first we were stunned! How could the promised Messiah be lying in a food trough? But then we realized that we better believe it because the news came from a messenger of God."

"I can't even imagine how you must have felt that night in the field."

"It was awesome! And it got better! Right then, a whole crowd of angels appeared praising God. They said, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Their voices were stunning."

"That is incredible. But why you guys? No offense, but you're just shepherds. Wouldn't it make sense that God would send the angel to the King, or Caesar, or one of the Pharisees?"

"No offense taken. We thought the same thing. Why would God send angels to us? We don't really know why, but it sure does show how much God loves us! The Good News is for all people, no matter who they are … We're sinners, right?"

"Yes, you are correct. The Bible says that all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

"And no matter whom we are or what we do, we all deserve death. Right?"

"Yes, the Bible also tells us that the wages of sin is death."

"Then why not shepherds? All of us need the message of good news - 'Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you - He is Christ the Lord.'"

"You're right. The Gospel is meant for all people, even shepherds."

"Hey."

"I am just kidding. So what does it mean to you personally that a Savior was born in Bethlehem?"

"That is a good question. People get so caught up with how God shows himself in their lives like they are showing off or something. The Pharisees walk around talking about all their works. The other religious leaders talked about how good they are because they have followed God. But you know what; there isn't a lot of talk about what God does for us."

"I know what you mean. People today also seem to be so caught up in the idea of Jesus in them instead of what Jesus does for them."

"So you know what we are talking about. To us, this good news meant that God was showing his love for pitiful sinners like us. A Savior was born. God kept his promise. Now our sins are forgiven. And it is not because of what we are doing, but it is only because of what God did for us in through that little baby, born in Bethlehem."

"How true that is. It is so important at Christmas time, and all year long, to focus on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only through faith in Jesus Christ are we saved."

"Amen."

"I am glad to hear you say all these things. What happened after the angels appeared?"

"That is the best part. We took off for Bethlehem to see the Savior. We didn't know exactly where to look, but we searched all the cattle stables in Bethlehem. We finally found the baby with his mother and father. It was such a peaceful sight. Seeing the Savior was a life changing experience for us."

"I know the feeling. It happens to me every time I read Luke chapter 2. What changes took place in your life?"

"We were so excited that we told everyone about Jesus. We couldn't keep the good news to ourselves! The Savior had come for all people. We just had to tell them."

"That is a great lesson for all of us at Christmas time. We celebrate Jesus' birthday every year. But sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the celebration, we forget to tell people why Jesus is so important to the world."

"That's too bad. Maybe this year will be different for everyone."

"I hope so. Did you do anything else after you saw the Christ child?"

"We couldn't stop praising God. It was an overwhelming experience. The Good News changed everything for us. God's promise of heaven gave us so much peace after we saw the Messiah with our own eyes."

"I hope that we have the same response this year. We don't actually get to see Jesus with our own eyes, but we sure do get to see him with eyes of faith when we read and hear the Christmas Scriptures. Thank you so much for talking to me today. Is there anything that you would like to say in closing?"

"Yes, tell your people that God loves them so much that he sent his only Son to be there Savior. Tell them to worship the newborn king with humble hearts of repentance. Tell them to spread the word about the Savior born in the Town of David. Tell them to praise God this Christmas."

"I will do that."

That is how I envision my interview with the Christmas Shepherds. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Amen.