Church Fathers Commentary Luke 2:8-12

"And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this [is] the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger." — Luke 2:8-12 (ASV)

St. Ambrose of Milan: Observe with what care God builds up our faith. An angel teaches Mary; an angel teaches Joseph; an angel also teaches the shepherds, of whom it is said, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field.

St. John Chrysostom: To Joseph, the angel appeared in a dream, as to someone who could be easily convinced. But to the shepherds, he appeared in visible form, as they were men of a simpler nature. The angel did not go to Jerusalem and did not seek out the Scribes and Pharisees, for they were corrupt and tormented with envy.

Instead, the shepherds were simple men, living according to the ancient practices of Moses and the Patriarchs. There is a certain road that leads by innocence to philosophy.

The Venerable Bede: Nowhere in the entire course of the Old Testament do we find that the angels, who so constantly appear to the Patriarchs, came in the daytime. This privilege was rightly reserved for this time, when a light arose in the darkness for those who were true of heart. Hence the scripture says, and the glory of God shone around them.

He is sent forth from the womb, but He shines from heaven. He lies in a common inn, but He lives in celestial light.

Greek Expositors: They were alarmed at the miracle, as the scripture says, And they were afraid... But the angel dispels their rising fears. He not only soothes their terrors but also pours gladness into their hearts, for the text continues, For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy... which is not for the Jewish people only, but for all.

The cause of their joy is declared, and the new and wonderful birth is revealed by the very names used. The scripture says, For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. The first of these names, that is, Savior, refers to the action; the third, that is, Lord, refers to the dignity of the person.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: But the middle term, namely, Christ, refers to adoration and signifies not a single nature, but the composite substance of two natures. For we confess that the anointing of Christ our Savior was not performed figuratively, as it was for kings of old with oil, nor by prophetic grace for the accomplishment of some task.

This is unlike what is said in Isaiah: Thus said the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus. Cyrus, although an idolater, was said to be anointed so that by heaven's decree he might take possession of the entire province of Babylon. But the Savior, as a man in the form of a servant, was anointed by the Holy Spirit. As God, He Himself anoints with His Holy Spirit those who believe in Him.

Greek Expositors: The angel marks the time of our Lord’s birth when he says, Today, and the place when he adds, In the city of David. He also gives the signs of it when the text continues, And there shall be a sign... Now the angels bring news to the shepherds about the Chief Shepherd, as of a lamb discovered and brought up in a cave.

The Venerable Bede: The infancy of the Savior was impressed upon us by the frequent announcements of angels and the testimonies of the Evangelists, so that what has been done for us might penetrate our hearts more deeply. We may observe that the sign given to us of the newborn Savior was that He would be found not clothed in Tyrian purple but wrapped in poor swaddling clothes; not lying on gilded couches, but in a manger.

St. Maximus the Confessor: But if the swaddling clothes seem lowly in your eyes, then admire the angels singing praises together. If you despise the manger, raise your eyes a little and behold the new star in heaven, proclaiming the Lord’s birth to the world.

If you believe the lowly things, believe also the mighty things. If you doubt the things that signify His lowliness, look with reverence on what is high and heavenly.

St. Gregory the Great: It was a mystery that the angel appeared to the shepherds while they were watching and that the glory of the Lord shone around them. This implies that those who take watchful care of their faithful flocks are considered worthy above others to see sublime things.

And while they are piously watching over their flocks, divine grace shines widely around them.

The Venerable Bede: In a spiritual sense, these shepherds and their flocks signify all teachers and guides of faithful souls. The night in which they were keeping watch indicates the dangerous temptations from which they must constantly protect themselves and those under their care.

It is also fitting that shepherds were watching over their flocks at the birth of our Lord, for He was born who says, I am the good Shepherd. The time was also near when this same Shepherd would recall His scattered sheep to the pastures of life.

Origen of Alexandria: But if we were to explore a more hidden meaning, I would say that there were certain shepherd angels who direct the affairs of humanity. While each of them was keeping his watch, an angel came at the birth of the Lord and announced to these shepherds that the true Shepherd had arisen.

For before the coming of the Savior, angels could bring little help to those entrusted to them, as scarcely a single Gentile believed in God. But now, whole nations are coming to the faith of Jesus.