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Song 7 of 8 · Study Page

Keeping Watch – The Shepherds

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1Read first. Open Luke 2:8–20 in the King James Version →

Know the Setting

“There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8).

Who Speaks

  • The angel of the Lord (verses 10–12)
  • The heavenly host (verse 14)
  • The shepherds, to one another (verse 15)

Look Closer

  • First one angel came, and “the glory of the Lord shone round about them” (Luke 2:9). Then “suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host” (Luke 2:13). These are two separate moments.
  • Luke says the host was “praising God, and saying” (Luke 2:13). Many carols say "singing," but Luke's word is "saying."
  • The angel gave a sign, and the shepherds “came with haste” (Luke 2:16) and found it just as they were told. Then “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

Connect the Scriptures

  • 1 Samuel 16:11: David, born in Bethlehem, was also a shepherd: “he keepeth the sheep” (1 Samuel 16:11)
  • Psalm 23:1: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1)
  • John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
What this reveals about God. God announced the Savior's birth to ordinary working men. The good tidings were “to all people” (Luke 2:10).

Ponder

  1. The shepherds went “with haste” (Luke 2:16). What helps you respond quickly when the Lord invites you?
  2. After they saw the Child, “they made known abroad the saying” (Luke 2:17). How do you share what you have found?
  3. Mary pondered these things in her heart. What do you keep and ponder?

Talk About It

Luke doesn't say why the news came first to shepherds. What do you think, and why?

Sing the Verse
“Keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8)

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