Church! And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 Church!!

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, it was to shepherds that the Lord announced His birth.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” - Luke 2:8-11 KJV

The word for “good tidings” is “euangelizō.” This word is also translated as “preaching” and “gospel.”

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." - Luke 2:15 KJV

The shepherds were true witnesses.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." - Luke 2:16-17 KJV

They preached the message that the Lord made known to them.

"And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." - Luke 2:18 KJV

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." - Luke 2:20 KJV

The message to shepherds today –

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

The message to us, the sheep of His pasture –

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." - Psalm 100:3 KJV

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." - Jeremiah 3:15 KJV