At that time: The shepherds said one to another: Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste.
Sermon by St. Ambrose the Bishop
The shepherds came with haste. So must every one put away sloth who would earnestly seek Christ. The shepherds believed the Angel. Wilt not thou believe Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Angels, Prophets, and Apostles? Here also remark how carefully every word in the Scripture is chosen. They come with haste, it saith, to see the Word which is come to pass. Truly it was a word, the very Word of God himself. Whosoever saw the Lord's Flesh, saw the Word, that is, God the Son.
Because the shepherds were men of little rank, belittle not the example of their faith. Verily, though poor in learning, they were rich in faith. The Lord seeketh not for schools crowded with wise men, but for a people with simplicity of heart, such as do not seek to disguise what they learn, by concealing it under vain and superfluous adornments. He will have straightforwardness rather than vainglory.
And belittle not the shepherds' words. For the shepherds strengthened the faith even of Mary. The shepherds also led God's people to his worship. For we read: All they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Let us learn the modesty of the Holy Virgin, even that modesty of speech as of body, whereby she pondered in her heart the evidences of her faith.
Sermon by St. Ambrose the Bishop
The shepherds came with haste. So must every one put away sloth who would earnestly seek Christ. The shepherds believed the Angel. Wilt not thou believe Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Angels, Prophets, and Apostles? Here also remark how carefully every word in the Scripture is chosen. They come with haste, it saith, to see the Word which is come to pass. Truly it was a word, the very Word of God himself. Whosoever saw the Lord's Flesh, saw the Word, that is, God the Son.
Because the shepherds were men of little rank, belittle not the example of their faith. Verily, though poor in learning, they were rich in faith. The Lord seeketh not for schools crowded with wise men, but for a people with simplicity of heart, such as do not seek to disguise what they learn, by concealing it under vain and superfluous adornments. He will have straightforwardness rather than vainglory.
And belittle not the shepherds' words. For the shepherds strengthened the faith even of Mary. The shepherds also led God's people to his worship. For we read: All they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Let us learn the modesty of the Holy Virgin, even that modesty of speech as of body, whereby she pondered in her heart the evidences of her faith.
