Annunciation to the shepherds

The annunciation to the shepherds is an important story from the Bible, found in Luke 2. It tells how angels appeared to some shepherds and told them that Jesus had been born. This event is a key part of the story of the Nativity of Jesus.

This late 15th-century Flemish miniature shows the annunciation to the shepherds.

Because of this story, many pieces of Christian art show angels and shepherds. It is also a popular theme in Christmas carols, which are songs sung during the Christmas season. The appearance of the angels to the shepherds is remembered and celebrated by many people around the world each year.

Biblical narrative

Rembrandt The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds, 1634

In the book of the Gospel of Luke, there is a story about some shepherds watching their sheep near Bethlehem. Suddenly, an angel appeared and told them wonderful news: a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The angel said they would find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger.

Then many more angels appeared, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all people." The shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see for themselves. They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the manger, just as the angel had said. After seeing the baby, the shepherds went back, telling everyone what they had seen.

Translational issues

The King James Version of the Bible uses different words than modern versions when describing what the angels said. It says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Many Christmas carols use this older way of speaking. For example, the song "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" says, "Peace on the earth, good will to men, / From Heaven's all gracious King."

Abraham Bloemaert (Manner of) - Announcement to the shepherds c.1600

This difference comes from a debate about the Greek text of the New Testament. It all depends on one letter in the ancient Greek words. Most modern scholars think the correct words are "on earth peace to men of good will." This is what most old Greek manuscripts say. One very old book called the Codex Sinaiticus originally had this reading, but someone changed it later.

Even though some old manuscripts agree with the changed version, most modern Bible experts and translators go with what most ancient manuscripts say. They translate it as "on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (NIV) or "on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased" (ESV).

The Douay-Rheims Bible, which comes from an old Latin translation, uses the same words as the changed Codex Sinaiticus, saying "on earth peace to men of good will." The New American Bible updates this to "on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Theological interpretation

This story is important because it was told to shepherds, who were not very powerful people in their time. This contrasts with richer and more important characters, like the Emperor Augustus. It shows how important humble people were, just as Mary said in the Magnificat: "He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble."

The shepherds, who were Jewish, together with the Gentile Three Magi, represent the first time the message of Christianity was shared with everyone in the world. The phrase "peace to men on whom his favor rests" can mean either that God’s favor is for a special group of people or that God’s favor is for the whole world.

Depiction in art

This fresco by Taddeo Gaddi in the Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence was painted between 1332 and 1338.

At first, artists showed the story of the angels telling the shepherds only as part of a bigger scene showing the birth of Jesus. Later, it became its own subject in art, though it is still not very common. In many traditional artworks, especially from the Byzantine style and still used today, the scene appears in the background of the main Nativity scene, often on the right side, while the Three Wise Men approach from the left. This style is also popular in Western art, though the Wise Men are often left out.

The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds, Govert Flinck, 1639

Another common subject shows the shepherds beside the baby Jesus, called the Adoration of the shepherds. This is frequently paired with the Adoration of the Magi, creating a balanced picture with the two groups on opposite sides of the main figures. This combination first appeared in the 6th-century Monza ampullae made in Palestine. The landscape in these scenes can vary, but when shown in the background of a Nativity scene, the shepherds are often placed on a steep hill. The number of shepherds shown also changes, with three being typical in Western art. Sometimes, one or more dogs are included. Famous artists like Abraham Hondius and Rembrandt also depicted this scene. Along with other scenes like the Agony in the Garden and the Arrest of Christ, it helped develop the use of night scenes in art, especially in the 15th century.

In Renaissance art, inspired by stories of Orpheus, shepherds are sometimes shown with musical instruments. One special example in a book of prayers from Naples shows the shepherds playing music for the baby Jesus, while a happy Virgin Mary stands nearby.

Main articles: Nativity scene, Byzantine, Eastern Orthodox, icons, Three Magi, Nativity at Night, Adoration of the shepherds, Adoration of the Magi, Monza ampullae, Taddeo Gaddi, Abraham Hondius, Rembrandt, Agony in the Garden, Arrest of Christ, Early Netherlandish painting, Renaissance, Orpheus, Infant Jesus, Geertgen tot Sint Jans, Naples

Music

Christmas music often tells the story of the angels telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus. This story is important in many songs and pieces of music. For example, it appears in Bach's Christmas Oratorio and Handel's Messiah.

Christmas carols

Many Christmas carols talk about the angels telling the shepherds. One of the oldest carols is the Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Phillips Brooks wrote "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in 1867, which includes lines about celebrating the birth of Jesus. The carol "Silent Night" also describes the shepherds hearing the good news from the angels.

Charles Wesley's "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" from 1739 begins with the angels announcing the birth of Jesus. Nahum Tate's carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" from 1700 is all about the shepherds learning from the angels. The story is also important in other carols like "The First Nowell", Angels from the Realms of Glory, and the French carol "Angels We Have Heard on High".

The carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, written during the American Civil War, thinks about the message of peace from the angels. Another carol, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", also reflects on this peaceful message. The German carol "Kommet, ihr Hirten" talks about both the angels' news to the shepherds and the shepherds visiting the baby Jesus.

In popular culture

The phrase "Peace on earth, good will to men" is used in many places. In 1871, Samuel Morse ended his message with these words. The 1939 film Peace on Earth and its 1955 remake Good Will to Men were inspired by this story. In A Charlie Brown Christmas, the character Linus van Pelt recites the story to show the true meaning of Christmas. The song "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" uses the phrase to contrast the holiday’s meaning with the busy and sometimes confusing celebrations.