I continued with the language of Luke 2:1-19

Espoused wife: they had been married by this time.

First-born son: doesn’t imply there were others—first-born, including only-born, sons were held in preferential status.

Swaddling clothes: wrappings used for poor babies.

Laid him in a manger: an animal’s feed bin—Joseph would have filled it with fresh, sweet hay for warmth and softness.

There was no room for them at the place where travelers lodged: because of Mary’s condition, she and Joseph would have had to have traveled rather slowly—considering how many wives Solomon had, the House of David would have been a large one with many branches—the city would have been packed—late comers were out of luck—Joseph was lucky to find even a cave for Mary.

There were shepherds in that region: David had been a shepherd there, too.

Living in the fields: tents and campfires amid the flocks.

Keeping watch: thieves and wolves would have been problems.

The angel of the Lord appeared to them: perhaps he visited these shepherds to honor David because of his holy descendant—Why visit anyone at all?—Later, when His ministry began, there would be those who would remember the baby and the angels and know He had God’s favor from the beginning—the shepherds would have talked about it for years and years.

As the glory of the Lord shone around them: the halo around the head was a medieval invention—the angel’s “halo” would have been a radiance around his whole form that lit up the area—this is called a “glory”—indicates great holiness, thus it is “of the Lord.”

They were very much afraid: of course they were!—visible angels and shepherds weren’t usual companions—angels meant something important was going on—“important” usually meant “not good” in these men’s lives.

Tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people: He came into the world to show His love for everyone.

Messiah and Lord: the angel meant “Lord” in the sense of God—shepherds probably thought only of “lord,” a great man.

Let this be a sign for you: Zechariah and Mary were given signs, too, that they might know the truth of the angels’ words.