The Christmas story is so familiar that we often miss a detail that should stop us in our tracks. When God chose to announce the birth of His Son, the long-awaited Messiah, He did not go to the Temple. He did not summon the scribes or consult the Pharisees and religious scholars who knew the Scriptures inside and out.
Instead, God went to shepherds. These were not men of influence or status. In fact, the shepherds lived on the edge of society. They were working the night shift, watching over the sheep.
God’s decision to inform the shepherds first tells us something important about how the Lord operates.
(Click Here to Read “The Light the World Was Waiting For”)
No One Expected the Shepherds
In first-century Jewish culture, shepherds were not admired. Their work kept them ceremonially unclean. They lived outdoors, away from religious life and were often viewed as unreliable and socially insignificant.
And yet, it was to them that the angel declared:
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
The shepherds didn’t earn this moment. God didn’t select them because of their social standing or spiritual qualifications. They were chosen because, in God’s kingdom, the last are often welcomed first. Jesus explains this very principle in Luke 9:48:
“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
From the very beginning, the kingdom of God was being introduced not through power, but through humility.
(Click Here to Read “Put Christ Back in Christmas: Return to the Manger”)
God’s Kingdom Defies Expectations
The announcement to the shepherds was not an accident. It was a preview.
Jesus would spend His ministry lifting up the overlooked, welcoming the outsider and warning the religious elite that proximity to truth is not the same as surrender to it.
Jesus tells us, “… indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:30). This statement isn’t just theology; it’s the Christmas story in action.
Those who were “last” in society (the shepherds) were first to hear the good news. Those who appeared closest to God through their positions were not the first to recognize the Messiah – and some did not know Him at all.
God chose to reveal something fundamental by going beyond traditional expectations: His kingdom does not function according to human ideas of significance.
Christmas Reveals God’s Pattern
This pattern we see didn’t start or end with the shepherds:
- A teenage girl carried the Savior of the world.
- A carpenter raised the Son of God.
- Fishermen became apostles.
- Children were used as object lessons for faith.
Over and over, God chose the overlooked to display His glory.
Christmas reminds us that God is not impressed by visibility, influence or control. He is drawn to humility, openness and hearts that are willing to receive.
(Click Here to Read:
What This Means for Us
This truth matters, especially during a season that often celebrates performance, perfection and appearance.
If you feel unseen this Christmas…
If your faith feels small…
If you don’t feel “important enough” to be used by God…
The shepherds stand as proof that God sees us differently.
The message of Christmas is not that God came to those who had it all together; it’s that God came close to the lowly, the tired, the ordinary and the humble. In God’s Kingdom, those places are not disadvantages – they are invitations.
Remember, the same God who chose to share the most amazing news in history with shepherds, continues to choose the humble today.
Final Thoughts
The Christmas story reminds us that God does not move according to human measures of importance. Also, God does not wait for influence or recognition before He acts. Instead, He draws near to the humble, the overlooked and the willing.
The shepherds were not chosen because they were powerful or prepared, but because they were open. Their story assures us that nearness to God is not reserved for those who appear spiritually impressive, but for those who are ready to receive.
During this Christmas season, may we remember that God still works the same way. He still meets people in ordinary places, speaks into quiet lives and reveals His presence to those who are watching – even in the dark.
In God’s kingdom, the invitation has always been the same: come as you are.
Blessings,
Amy
I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your insights, experiences or questions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
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