聖誕節的牧羊人

聖誕節的牧羊人
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:8-20 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年12月21日(日)

在耶穌出生的年代，牧羊人日夜看守羊群是一件平常的事。牧羊人要防止羊群走失，並且要保護牠們不受野獸的攻擊。 　今天經文中的牧羊人也許就像其他猶太人一樣，他們知道有一天上帝會差派祂的兒子來到世上，這就是為什麼他們在聽到天使的信息後感到興奮。這些牧羊人沒有懷疑天使所說的話，他們「急忙趕去」伯利恆尋找嬰孩耶穌（第16節）。 　有些人好奇想知道，為什麼上帝要把耶穌降生的消息告訴這些牧羊人，上帝原本可以將這個消息告訴國王或是一些重要的猶太領袖。或許是上帝知道這些牧羊人會分享這個消息給其他人，第18節說：「聽見的人對牧羊人的話都很驚訝。」 　我希望這次的聖誕節你會像這些牧羊人一樣，跟你的家人和朋友分享耶穌誕生的消息。－IMJ 「所以，你們要去，使萬國萬民都作我的門徒。」 馬太福音28:19a 禱告：上帝，耶穌的降生讓我感到很興奮，求祢幫助我去向人傳講耶穌。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (林威妮譯)

Christmas Shepherds
Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Sunday, December 21, 2014

At the time Jesus was born, it was common for shepherds to stay with their sheep day and night. The shepherds kept the sheep from straying away and protected them from wild animals. 　The shepherds in our Bible Reading were probably like other Jews. They knew that someday God would send His Son to earth. That is why they were excited to hear the message from the angel. The shepherds did not doubt what the angel said. They “went running” to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus (verse 16). 　Some people wonder why God told the shepherds about Jesus' birth. God could have given the news to the king or some important Jewish leaders. Maybe God knew that the shepherds would share this news with other people. Verse 18 says, “Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them.” 　I hope this Christmas you will be like the shepherds. Share the news about Jesus' birth with your family and friends. —IMJ “So go and make followers of all people in the world.” Matthew 28:19a PRAYER: God, I am excited about Jesus' birth. Help me to tell others about Him. In Jesus' name. Amen.