The Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Dawn (One Year Lectionary)

Micah 5:2–5a
Psalm 80:1-7
Titus 3:4–7
Luke 2:(1–14) 15–20

The Birth of the Good Shepherd Is Proclaimed to the Shepherds

The first ones to visit the infant Lord Jesus are lowly shepherds (Luke 2:15–20), for Christ came that the last may be first and that the humble may be exalted. Furthermore, Jesus Himself came to be a shepherd, the Good Shepherd who would lay down His life for the sheep. “He shall stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord” (Micah 5:2–5).  The babe in the manger whom the shepherds worship is He “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” For in Christ Jesus, conceived and born of Mary, “the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared” (Titus 3:4). Like Mary, let us keep and ponder in our hearts these things that God has revealed to us through His Word. And like the shepherds, let us glorify and praise God for all the things we have heard and seen in Christ His Son.