When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'

Luke 2:15

In the grand narrative of history, kings are usually heralded by those of high status. We might expect a parade, a trumpet fanfare, and an announcement made to the powerful rulers and religious leaders of the day. But the Christmas story defies all human expectations. The very first people to be told the good news of the Savior's birth were not the wealthy or the influential, but a group of shepherds.

These were not people of high standing. In first-century society, shepherds were often seen as unreliable, on the margins of society, and considered "dead-end jobs". They were "liars and scoundrels" in the eyes of many. They worked in the fields, away from the respectable crowds, and were considered among the "least expected" to receive such a divine proclamation. Yet, it was to these forgotten and overlooked individuals that the angels appeared. The heavenly chorus didn’t announce the King's arrival to Herod's palace, but to a field full of shepherds. This was a deliberate choice by God, confirming His special care for the overlooked and unworthy.

The birth of Jesus is a profound message for those who feel "less than," "unworthy," or "lonely". It shows us that God's love and attention are not reserved for the powerful or the "put together." Instead, He chooses to show up in the most unlikely places and to the most unlikely people. He came for the broken, the lost, and those who feel like outsiders. This truth should bring immense comfort and a sense of unhurried worthiness. It invites us to stop striving for recognition and to rest in the fact that we are seen and deeply loved by God, no matter our status or how society views us.

Spend time today praying for someone you consider to be on the margins or easily forgotten by society.

Questions for Reflection

1. How does the fact that shepherds were the first to see the Savior change your perspective on who God cares for?

2. In your own life, do you ever feel "unworthy" or "less than"? How does the Christmas story of the shepherds speak to that feeling?

3. Besides prayer, what is one small, practical way you can show care to someone on the margins of society this Christmas season?