Luke 2:16-18

Imagine a time when people were knocking each other over to get to Jesus. Was it because of the angels? Was it because the shepherds were looking for an excuse to leave their posts? No. It was the reality of the Messiah arriving on the earth He created. The shepherds were likely in a dead run to get to the manger; this event had not been broadcast yet. They were so eager to meet the Christ, they left their sheep! How many, in our day, would leave everything behind to have an encounter with Jesus?

Who could believe such a story? How could it be, that God revealed His arrival to someone whose credibility was so doubted? After all, no simple shepherd could know the deeper things of God! Regardless of stereotypes and preconceived notions, theses common outsiders forged ahead with the Good News. The amazing depth of God’s love for humanity is ever prevalent in these few verses. You can easily see the inspiration for the famous song, “O Holy Night”:

“Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name, all oppression shall cease.”

God’s gift is for ALL mankind, no one is excluded! There were certainly some who heard this news and thought: “Those dirty shepherds! Why didn’t God give ME the message to spread? After all,
they don’t even come to town for worship services!” The fact God chose to use this group; Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, shows no matter your circumstance or predicament, He rewards those who
diligently seek Him.

— Mike Hurst