When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Luke 2:15-18 (ESV)

The gospel is the amazing news of God’s grace in Christ.

The shepherds in Bethlehem were in charge of raising sheep for the Passover sacrifice. They would wrap a newborn lamb to keep it from harming itself, ensuring that it is free of blemishes and defects and fit for use. When the angel told them to look for the sign of a swaddled babe in a manger, they immediately realised the significance of Jesus’ birth. The infant Jesus in swaddling clothes corresponds to John the Baptist’s prophetic pronouncement of Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Luke describes how the shepherds rushed to meet the Christ Child after hearing the angels, and how eagerly they shared the news of His birth and the significance of His coming. Take note of how everyone "marvelled" when the shepherds told them what they needed to know.

The Greek word for “marvelled” is thaumazõ which means “to wonder, to be amazed”.

When was the last time you were actually amazed by the gospel? A casual attitude towards the gospel will hinder your overall spiritual growth and maturity. We can become overly familiar with the gospel, which hinders our worship and weakens our testimony. It's like the florist who ignores the pleasant floral aroma in the shop. Or the tour guide who is no longer awestruck by the breathtaking scenery.

The gospel always has something inspirational and new to offer. This is because we are not studying Jesus as a subject, but rather following Jesus as our Saviour. In this sense, we can never outgrow Jesus or our need for Him. Thus, it is prudent to have a teachable mind and receptive heart — for God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Just as the shepherds couldn't stop talking about what they saw when they discovered Jesus, so should we. Their encounter with the angels and the birth of Jesus undoubtedly impacted their witness to a world so much in need of peace and goodwill.