And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20
Terrified
When you are faced with the coming of the Savior, the Lord in the flesh, the Prince of Peace, you would have to feel some sort of inadequacy about such an event. Imagine you're in the dessert, trying to get some rest with the sound of bleating and blaring sheep going off. The sky is lit, much like it is tonight with the full moon, and in your groggy state you are suddenly face with an angel. This encounter with the supernatural suddenly causes you to take spiritual inventory of yourself. How about it? Quiet Times, Prayer, Confession, Thoughts, Attitudes, Tithes, all those things my friends and I used to look at when we were surveying the flock for weakness within the defenses of the Armor of God.
Joy
What would you say, after being scared beyond control when you have a supernatural experience and told about the coming of the Savior. You're told that the Lords of Lords is here to clear the way for you to connect with God. He is to violently conquer the forces of evil and forcefully command the armies to destroy all the darkness in the world. All your life, you're told that the coming of the Lord means a radical turn over of all the oppression your family and friends have faced for as long as any one could remember. All the prophecies you know, point to this moment of time. You feel excited to tell your father and grandfather that their hope and faith in the scriptures has paid off. You start to understand why they held so tight to what Isaiah, David, Jeremiah and the other prophets.
Praising
As a weak modern day parallel, the ending of a some championship game and you see the floor reporter asking the members of the winning team what contributed to this moment. In the background hear the crowd giving hoots and yelps in exuberance, team members pumping their fists, pointing to the ceiling, the crowd, one another, and the reporter asks, "is there anything you personal feel meant a difference in this win?" Some athletes will make mention to God, natural talent, thanking the coaches and other players, and they show the excitement of winning.
Glorifying God
The only thing I can think of is just repentance. The shepherds got up, herded the sheep and went to the lowly stable the holy family was in. They could have just said, "we'll go later." Only God can make some tired men, who are away from home, want to pick up their business and travel across a desert to visit the Son of God, in a such a humble place. When we get called by God, we pick ourselves up and begin to meet with God on the terms He deems appropriate for us to bring him glory.
