The Bible

 

Luke 2:8-20 : The Shepherds Visit Jesus in Bethlehem

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

9 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.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 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.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

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

Commentary

 

Shepherds in the Fields

By Junchol Lee

The Annunciation to the Shepherds, By Henry Ossawa Tanner - http://www.artnet.de/artist/16406/henry-ossawa-tanner.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4864375


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One of the most significant events, if not THE most significant event, in human history is the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior of humanity. Christ's birth had been prophesied by many, but it was Isaiah who gave us the fullest and most detailed description of the Messiah's coming. It is notable that besides Mary and Joseph, shepherds were the only individuals allowed to visit Jesus on the night of his birth. Why only shepherds? What is the spiritual significance of the shepherds? We will explore this question.

(References: Isaiah 46:3)

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Scriptural Confirmations #4

  
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4. 2. The Son of God (Romans 1:3-4).

Called after Jesus Christ, Christians (Romans 1:6) through the faith of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22).

Faith in Christ. Through Jesus Christ we have peace toward God, and to God we have access by faith into this grace, and we glory in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).

By Jesus Christ were we reconciled to God (Romans 5:10,11).

As by one man sin entered into the world, so by the justice of one are we justified (Romans 5:12, 13, 15, 18-19).

There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, in order that the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit (Romans 8:1-4). Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:34).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, hunger, death, angels, principalities, height, depth, etc. (Romans 8:35-39)?

From the fathers Christ is according to the flesh, who is over all; God blessed forever. Amen (Romans 9:5).

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

We are one body in Christ; all are members having different gifts according to grace (Romans 12:5-6). The gifts which belong to different members are enumerated in a long series (verses 6, 13).

Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).

Whether we live, we live in the Lord; whether we die, we die in the Lord; therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died and rose and lived again that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living (Romans 14:8-9).

It is written, I live, saith the Lord, for every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God (Romans 14:11). Isaiah saith, there shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to rule over the nations; in Him shall the nations hope (Romans 15:12).

The Gospel of Christ (Romans 15:19-21).

Chosen and tried in the Lord, in Christ: to work and labor in the Lord (Romans 16:8-13).

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.