Why Shepherds?

 

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14 ESV).

 

Our reading today says the first announcement of the Messiah’s birth was given to a group of shepherds. There was not a more unlikely group to receive such an important announcement, unless maybe it was the Gentiles. It could have been the high priest; or the whole company of priests; perhaps the religious ruling body called the Sanhedrin, or even King Herod. All of these would be possibilities. However, God chose none of them. God sent the angels to announce the birth not to the important and the elite, but to the ungood. Shepherding sheep in Jesus’ day was not the honorable profession it had been in the days of King David. In the New Testament period shepherds were considered ritually unclean because of their jobs. They had a reputation for being dishonest, and were not even allowed to testify in court proceedings. It is even reported that one rabbi said “Give no help to heathens or shepherds.” In many ways they were the outcasts of that society.

 

All of this is a reminder that many times God does not call the rich and mighty but the poor and lowly. It was probably a very ordinary night. You have the feeling reading Luke’s account that it was a quiet evening. And then suddenly the sky exploded with light, the glory of God surrounded them and an angel appeared saying Fear not. They probably ignored that part of the greeting. It is hard to imagine that the shepherds suddenly quit shaking after the angel shared those words of comfort. Then the angel says, “Behold!” In Scripture this word almost always means something unusual, something completely unexpected is about to happen. Behold, the announcement of the arrival of the Messiah has come to the shepherds, the ungood of Israel. A baby was born in Bethlehem, for them!

 

By appearing to the shepherds, the angel revealed the grace of God to all mankind. As if to punctuate the moment, a choir of angels appeared and sang a chorus. It shouldn’t have been such a surprise. Everyone knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, they just were not paying attention. I have to wonder if we are paying attention. No matter your status in life, this Savior was born for you! That is the great message of joy for all of us!