Luke 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things which they had heard and seen, as it was said to them.
Returned where? To the flock and the undershepherds. After all, someone had to stay behind and watch over the sheep when the head shepherds went to see if what the angel had told them was really true.
The trainees couldn't go and check out this unbelievable news: they were young and inexperienced. And if it was true, the lead shepherds would have needed to see for themselves. By going on ahead, they were able to confirm that that which the angel had informed them of had indeed come to pass.
Upon their return, and more than likely, during their return, the shepherd were glorifying and praising God. They had been privileged to be invited to come and see and worship the newly born King of Israel. Now the air is filled with great joy. The undershepherds could hear them before they could see them, confirming in their ears and their hearts that such magnificent news was truth.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 134
Praising: to praise, I praise; to extol
From the Greek word 'aineó' (pronounced ahee-neh'-o). To sing praises in honor of God. Used only eight times in the New Testament.
Luke 2:13, 20
Luke 19:37
Acts 2:47
Acts 3:8, 9
Romans 15:11
Revelation 19:5
These men testified of what they had heard and seen. They brought the wonderful news back to their colleagues in their work places. There would be no sleeping that night for all the wondrous descriptions of the glory of God in a manger would surely have kept them up talking for the rest of the night. Sleep could wait: the Messiah who would save Israel had arrived.
Heaven Has Come by Young Oceans
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