Maybe that's why the appearance was accompanied with some reassurance.
"Don't be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
If those shepherds were anything like me, I imagine they were relieved that the appearance of heavenly messengers was accompanied by good news and not some final word of judgment on the fallibility and frailty of their souls.
I wonder if any of those shepherds recalled those words as Jesus grew and began a ministry that divided history in half. People who believed and people who didn't. People who trusted his ministry and those who resented his interference. People who continued to seek his will and others who wanted little more than to wipe out his witness.
I wonder if they were around when religious and political authorities began the persecution of believers. I wonder if they recalled those words as some of them may have stood at the foot of the cross.
"What happened to good news of great joy for all the people?" they might have rightfully inquired.
I've come to the conclusion that it's impossible to bring news that's good enough or joyful enough to suit all people. The news may be good, but it may not be perceived that way by some.
In our church, for example, we've occasionally taken roll-call. Not by name, but by character. I remember the startled look on some people's faces when one Sunday, I asked how many sinners were present in the building. I asked them to identify themselves by raising their hands. To my great relief, everyone raised their hands -- including me.
I'd feel terribly out of place in some place where some couldn't face their fallibility and frailty. So for us, we don't get hung up on the label of "sinner." It's as if, "So what! Tell me something I don't already know." We've been twisted long enough and hurt often enough to understand sin.
Most folks in my neighbourhood are actually more surprised by goodness than badness.
For many, the news that everyone's a sinner is no great shock. The good news of the angel to the shepherds -- and all Christians today -- is that a Saviour had arrived. An innocent, willingly taking the rap for the guilty. Someone who cared enough and was qualified to bring the help I needed.
If a teacher, healer, counsellor, or politician would have been enough maybe that's how the story would have read. But Christian scriptures assert that our problems run much deeper than can be addressed by counselling, classrooms, hospitals or elections.
But then, as now, that wasn't really good news for everyone.
The offer of a saviour only makes sense for sinners. Those convinced of their own self-righteousness or the sufficiency of their own political or philosophical system may well resent the offer.
To them, the "good news" of the angel would be like a gracious dentist offering to fix teeth that aren't that bad, or a mechanic offering to fix something they figure doesn't require repair.
Perhaps that's why Herod ordered the slaughter of all male children under the age of two in an attempt to wipe out the Christ child. I guess he figured "the good news of great joy for all people" wouldn't really apply to him in the way he wanted.
It's amazing how far some will go to oppose and even obliterate what is intended as good news for all people.
Maybe that's why Nina Shea, international human rights lawyer with "Freedom House," made the following observation.
"Millions of American Christians pray in their churches each week, oblivious to the fact that Christians in many parts of the world suffer brutal torture, arrest, imprisonment and even death -- their homes and communities laid waste -- for no other reason than that they are Christians.
"The shocking, untold story of our time is that more Christians have died this century simply for being Christians than in the first 19 centuries after the birth of Christ. They have been persecuted and martyred before an unknowing, indifferent world and a largely silent Christian community."
Christians in North America may "suffer" the condescending snobbery of those who "know better." We may even shoulder the criticisms of those too open-minded to tolerate our message.
As a whole, Canadians who continue to spread the "good news of great joy for all people" have it pretty easy.
But Christians in other countries around the world suffer incredible persecution, prejudice, and myriad violations of human rights -- just because they insist on living and speaking the "good news of great joy for all people."
My grandparents in Europe suffered to the point of imprisonment and physical torture for the privilege of holding the good news delivered to them. I remember being amazed by my grandfather's fiercely gentle persistence in sharing good news.
He died years ago. While I no longer remember his exact words, his testimony continues to inspire and encourage faithfulness in my sometimes faltering faith.
This Christmas season I'll spend a little time remembering those who continue to pay dearly for repeating the message delivered by the angel that first Christmas.
And I'll renew my commitment to continuing to sing from the same sheet as the angels.
Rev. Harry Lehotsky
514 Maryland Street
Winnipeg, Mb R3G 1M5
(204) 775-4929
lehotsky@escape.ca