Luke 2:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

These shepherds symbolize spiritual leaders, specifically bishops. It is essential for bishops to nurture their congregations and engage in spiritual expressions, that is, to sing hymns and instruct the faithful. By doing so, they will be blessed with divine revelations and insights. Bethlehem signifies the house of bread, and there is no other house of bread than the church, where this divine bread is preserved. Thus, it is the responsibility of the shepherds of the Gospel to seek the bread from heaven, and upon witnessing this heavenly sustenance, they must share it with others, just as the shepherds did when they encountered the child and shared the good news.

And the shepherds said, "Let us go and see what the Lord has made known to us." They hurried to arrive swiftly. Observe how eager the shepherds were; no one should procrastinate in their quest for Christ. They accepted the angel's message, just as you believe in the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the angels, the prophets, and the apostles. Notice how accurately Scripture responds, stating they rushed to encounter the Word. When they beheld the body of the Lord, they witnessed the Word, namely, the Son (John 1:1, 14, 18). Do not underestimate this act of faith or regard the shepherds as insignificant. In faith, the humble may possess greater value than those with learned wisdom. The Lord did not seek out His followers in the crowded halls of the intellectual elite but among the ordinary, where simplicity reigns and where messages are not altered or embellished. He desires humility, not aspirations of grandeur.

Once the angels had ascended back to heaven, the shepherds began to speak to one another, urging, “Let us travel to Bethlehem and witness the message that the Lord has proclaimed to us. Let us explore what has been revealed, specifically confirming the news of the Saviour’s birth today. We will validate this through the sign provided to us.”

The shepherds shared the divine mysteries they had received from God and communicated them to anyone willing to listen. Similarly, the spiritual leaders of the Church are called to declare the mysteries found in the Word of God, revealing to their audiences that the wonders described in Scripture are truly extraordinary.

Prior to the angels' ascent, the evangelist depicts it as an unintentional act. Is this merely a term that applies to the shepherds? It could signify a gradual departure that was unforeseen. It is reasonable to consider that the angels did ascend back to heaven over time. They possess a designated place from which they must return after their brief sojourn on earth. Their ascent must have been a wondrous sight! It brings to mind the ladder that Jacob witnessed, facilitating the descent and ascent of angels. ‘The shepherds say to one another...’ This phrase indicates that there were more than three shepherds present. It is possible that some remained behind as guardians to honor the newborn Messiah when the others returned. However, it could also be that there were only three, as this expression can apply to a small group. A thorough reading of the Gospel narratives concerning the earthly life of Jesus reveals the shepherds' worship at His birth.

Let us take example from our leaders and not overlook the divine inspirations; in the same spirit, let us uplift each other with encouraging words and righteous deeds, remaining steadfast in the grace we have received. At times, if our acts of devotion do not yield the comfort we anticipated, it may be due to our lack of the diligence and eagerness exemplified by our shepherds.

After the vision concluded, the shepherds proceeded to witness the sign revealed to them by the angel. Upon discovering everything as the angel had predicted, they shared with Joseph and Mary all that the celestial messenger had conveyed regarding their child. At that moment, there were some individuals present near the holy family. Those who heard the shepherds' account were astonished, while Mary treasured all these sayings in her heart. The shepherds then glorified and praised God for all that they had both heard and witnessed.

Once the heavenly hosts had ceased their singing and the shepherds, astonished by their experience, regained their composure, they resolved to journey to Bethlehem to witness the fulfillment of all that had been revealed to them. As they traveled, they stopped at a nearby inn, where they discovered a cave. Inside, they "found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in a manger," just as they had been told, and they were the first to adore the infant Christ. Moreover, they were among the first to proclaim His arrival, for they swiftly began sharing the news of what had been revealed to them about this child. Those who listened were filled with wonder at the account shared by the shepherds.

The shepherds expressed a response that demonstrated their faithful obedience rather than skepticism. Throughout the narrative, it is clear that they were devout individuals anticipating the arrival of the Savior. Hence, upon receiving the angel’s message, they undoubtedly "hurried" to the location pointed out to them and found all as it had been revealed. They were not led astray by the humble circumstances of the awaited King of Israel.