“We All Need the Divine Salvation/Peace Which This World Can Never Give 我們所有人都需要這世界永不能給予、神聖的救贖/平安“（Luke 路加福音2:8-14）
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. … But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ … ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’
在伯利恆的郊外，有一些牧人在夜間看守羊群。… 天使說：“不要怕！看哪！我報給你們大喜的信息，是關於萬民的：今天在大衛的城裡，為你們生了救主，就是主基督。你們要找到一個嬰孩，包著布，臥在馬槽裡，那就是記號了。” …“在至高之處，榮耀歸與神！在地上，平安歸與他所喜悅的人！”
Shepherds in the fields near by Bethlehem were known to protect and care for the temple flocks which were the only otherwise flocks kept on the land of Israel for using in temple sacrifice according to Jewish regulations. Interrupting that quiet, dark night when Jesus was born was the shining presence of an angel and the glory of the Lord. This first angel was in fact the first preacher of the gospel announcing to those shepherds, who were regarded as social outcasts, the birth of a Saviour, which was (and is) exactly the need of mankind. After the single angel’s announcement, a whole group of angels appeared proclaiming peace which the world needed then and needs now. The contrast between the angelic glory and the humble Jesus must have seemed extreme. God loves to put His glory in unlikely packages so His glory is more clearly displayed.
在伯利恆鄰近郊外的牧羊人以保護和看管聖殿的羊群而聞名，按猶太人的生活慣例，這用於聖殿獻祭的羊羔是唯一例外在以色列地上圈養的羊群。打破耶穌出生那寂靜黑夜的，是一位天使的閃耀出現和主的榮光。這首位天使事實上是福音的首先傳道者，向那些被視為社會棄兒的牧羊人，宣告救主的降生，這確切是（現在也是）人類的需要。一位天使信息的宣告後，有一群天使出現，宣告當時的世界需要，現在同樣需要的平安。天使的榮耀與卑微的耶穌之間的對比必定好似極端；神喜歡把祂的榮耀放在人認為不可能的包裝裡，好使祂的榮耀更清楚地彰顯出來。
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we do not need another advisor, a reformer or a committee but a Saviour for this fallen world where there is no true peace. How honour and privilege it was that those Bethlehem’s shepherds on whom your favour rested firstly received the good news of Jesus Christ coming into this world for the redemption of mankind. Thank you that by believing and trusting in Lord Jesus alone for saving us from our sins, we can now make peace with you rejoicing in your presence and enjoying your favour. May you have all the glory so we may have the true peace in us. Amen.
禱告: 天父啊，為著這個敗壞而沒有真正平安的世界，我們不需要另一個顧問、改革家或委員會，卻需要一位救主。那些你所喜悅的伯利恆牧羊人，首先接受了耶穌基督為了人類的救贖，來到世上的好消息，這是何等的榮幸和特權。感謝你，藉著單單相信和信靠主耶穌來拯救我們脫離自己的罪，我們現在能與你和好，在你的同在裡喜樂，並享有你的悅納。願你得著一切的榮耀，好使我們可以得著真正的平安。阿們。
