“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."”
God had the biggest announcement in history to make, and consider who was on the guest list.
Not the emperor. Not the religious leadership in Jerusalem, who had spent their lives studying the prophecies about exactly this. Not anyone with a title. A handful of shepherds, working the night shift in a field outside a small town.
Shepherds were not the gentle figures on Christmas cards. It was low, dirty, poorly paid work. They were out in the weather while everyone else slept, and their word was not considered especially reliable.
Those are the people the sky opened for.
If you had any doubt about who this news is for, the guest list settles it. The angel says good news of great joy which will be to all the people. All. Then, to prove it, heaven skips everyone impressive and tells the night shift first.
And look at the sign they were given. Not a star or a palace. You will find a baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a feeding trough. The sign that this is the Savior is that he is somewhere you would never look for a king. Shepherds would have understood that immediately. He is being found in a place like ours.
So if you have ever quietly suspected this was all meant for tidier people, people who have their act together and their theology sorted, the shepherds are the answer. God went out of his way to make sure the first invitation went to people who would have assumed they were not on the list.
Talk About It Together
Good one to read with the whole family.
- Why do you think God told the shepherds first?
- Have you ever felt like the good news was meant for other people more than you?
- Who around you needs to hear that it is for them?
Tonight’s Challenge
Show real kindness to someone doing unnoticed work today, and say thank you by name.
Prayer
God, You told the night shift before You told the palace. Thank You that this news is for all people, which means it is for us. Take away the feeling that we are not the kind of people You come for. Give us joy tonight, and someone to share it with. Amen.