Bible Figure
Adoration of the Shepherds
The shepherds were the unnamed men near Bethlehem who received the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth. They went to see the child, found Mary and Joseph with Jesus lying in the manger, and then spread the message they had been told about Him.
Biography
Luke 2 places shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared and announced good news of great joy: a Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born in David's city. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God. After the angels departed, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and see what had happened. They found Mary, Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger, exactly as the sign had indicated. They then made known the message they had received and returned glorifying and praising God. Scripture does not name the shepherds or provide later biographies for them.
Biblical Significance
The shepherds are among the first human witnesses to the announced birth of the Messiah in Luke. Their experience emphasizes divine revelation to ordinary people, the Davidic setting of Bethlehem, and the proper response of hearing, seeking, witnessing, glorifying, and praising God.