The First Evangelists: When Heaven Became the First Preachers

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8–21 (BSB)
There were shepherds in the same country, staying in the field and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

Good News of Great Joy (v10a)

In the quiet stillness of a winter night, as the world slept, an extraordinary event unfolded in a field outside Bethlehem. Shepherds—ordinary men tending their flocks—were suddenly confronted by an angel of the Lord. The glory of God surrounded them, and fear gripped their hearts. But the angel’s words were not of judgment or condemnation, but of hope: “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people” (Luke 2:10).

This moment, so simple in its setting yet profound in its meaning, marks the beginning of the greatest message ever delivered. The Greek word for “bringing good news” is euaggelizō, meaning “to evangelise.” In this moment, angels become the first evangelists, heralding the birth of the Savior. This is not a message of fear or doom, but one of joy.

And that’s what evangelism is. It’s not about fear. It’s not about condemnation. It’s about sharing the good news—just as the angel did. The message is not about what you’ve done wrong. It’s about what God has done for you.

Jesus said, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).

Think about it: If you were a shepherd in that field, and you saw an angel, you’d probably be terrified. But the angel didn’t come to scare you. He came to give you good news. And that’s what we’re called to do—share the good news, not with fear, but with joy.

Great Joy to All People (v10b)

The angel didn’t say, “This is for the religious, the rich, the chosen.” He said, “This is for all the people.” And that’s the heart of the gospel.

It’s not just for the perfect. It’s not just for the holy. It’s for everyone—rich and poor, good and broken, believers and doubters. God’s love isn’t limited. It’s for all.

This is what Abraham was promised: “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). And it’s what Jesus fulfilled: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The gospel is for everyone. And that’s why we’re called to share it—not with judgment, but with grace.

Glory to God in the Highest Heaven (v14a)

This was the highest of praise that the angels sang.

On that night, while the world was asleep, unaware that the King of Kings had been born, there was a celebration in heaven. The angels were not silent. The highest heavens rejoiced that salvation had finally come to earth. But there was no one to listen—except some humble shepherds in the field, minding their sheep.

The message was told to them first.

Peace and Good Will on the Earth (v14b)

The angels’ song ends with peace and good will toward men. But what does that mean for us today?

The gospel message is peace on earth—not merely the absence of war and strife, but the inner peace of the heart: a heart that has made peace first with God, and then with others. It is a heart that is loved, forgiven, and one with its Creator.

The gospel is good will on earth—kindness, benevolence, and a desire for the good of others.

This is beautifully captured in Psalm 85:9–13, especially verse 10:

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven.
Yes, the LORD will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps.

Imagine that. Mercy and truth—two things that often seem at odds—come together. Righteousness and peace—two things that can feel like opposites—kiss. In Jesus, God’s justice and His love are not in conflict. They are united. They are one.

And that’s what the gospel brings: not just forgiveness, but wholeness. Not just peace, but purpose. Not just love, but a relationship with the God who made us.

Conclusion

The birth of Jesus wasn’t just a miracle. It was a message. A message of hope. A message of peace. A message of good news.

And that message was delivered not by a human preacher, but by the heavens themselves. The first evangelists were not people. They were angels. The first preachers were not from a church. They were from the sky.

So this Christmas, let’s remember the angels’ song: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Let’s share that good news—not with fear, but with joy. Not with judgment, but with grace. Because in Jesus, mercy and truth meet. Righteousness and peace kiss. And in that, we find the fullness of God’s love.

This is the good news of great joy. And it’s for you.

Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below!

Footnote: This post represents the author’s original reflections and takeaways from the Scripture passage. Artificial intelligence was utilized to research background information, and then refine and structure these thoughts into a cohesive and engaging blog post, while preserving the author’s core ideas and interpretations.