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Slideshow

The Annunciation to the Shepherds

Artists' depictions of Christmas night, from A.D. 1306 to 2007.

Compiled by Katelyn Beaty | posted 12/20/2007 11:12AM

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About a quarter of the text in Luke 2, the account of Jesus Christ's birth, tells about how God sent his messengers to those who were the recipients of his promise—not kings, theologians, or even relatives, but those whom a grown-up Jesus would long to gather under his wings:

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[a] 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. (NIV)

Following is a 700-year span of art attempting to show the surprise, the glory, and the joy of that night.

Click here to view the slideshow.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous slideshows and other articles on Christmas are available in our special sections.

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December (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 5 comments. See all comments

Ephrem Hagos Posted: December 21, 2007 2:22 AM

If there is no fresh way for us today, like the shepherds and others in the first Christmas, to connect ourselves and the secular world with a firsthand, objective and powerful knowledge of Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR, let us forget "the great myth" and move on! On the other hand, if we think there possibly is a way, perhaps even a greater way, let us look for it together without any preconception whatsoever! It might work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen Posted: December 29, 2007 3:27 PM

Excellent and refreshing article, nice collection of art with clear information, Biblical approach. This Christmas I find myself considering the angels' proclamation of JOY to the world.

minister marsha stephens hurd Posted: December 20, 2007 3:05 PM

a beautiful collection for this ultimate story of God reaching down to humanity - thanks! msh

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