Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 2:8-20

"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. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased. And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them." — Luke 2:8-20 (ASV)

Angels were heralds of the newborn Savior, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were attending to their duties, keeping watch over their flock. We remain in the path of divine visits when we are engaged in honest work and remain with God in it. Let God have the honor of this work: Glory to God in the highest. God's goodwill to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, contributes to His praise.

Other works of God are for His glory, but the redemption of the world is for His glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah brought peace into this lower world. Peace here represents all the good that flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon Himself. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels and fully worthy of all acceptance: that the goodwill of God toward men is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth.

The shepherds lost no time but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied and proclaimed widely concerning this child: that He was the Savior, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and pondered all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We would be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice if we pondered these things more fully in our hearts.

It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. This should be good news to all.