December 17, 2023
Shepherds. This year my mind has been trying to wrap my head around why God revealed the birth of the baby Jesus first to these humble, lowly individuals. Why not someone more important or influential? They were nobodies, outcasts of society, although everyone needed the lambs they raised for the sacrifice. Was it just because they were out in their fields and would have noticed the sky? Or was there was something in the heart of God, in His nature, that was drawn to share the news of His Son with them? It was like God Himself wanted to call all His closest friends and tell them about this miracle. After all Jesus Himself said that He was the good shepherd. God understands shepherds, their sense of responsibility and watch care over these vulnerable animals, because He Himself is one. If you were a chef and you came up with the most amazing preparation of lemon meringue pie, wouldn’t you call your likeminded friends to enjoy it with you?
God may have shared the news first with the them because He is a shepherd, but another truth is that God valued leadership of shepherds. Many of the Old Testament leaders who were shepherds. Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Elisha, David, and others were shepherds before they were leaders (patriarchs, Prophet, King)! It was an important and necessary livelihood, but it was not a glamorous one to live with animals. David was selected as the next king when he was but a small shepherd boy. Even from a young age David must have learned about being responsible for other living things, to watch out for the weak and to keep the flock together. The qualities of leadership from being a shepherd are oftentimes overlooked. He wanted the shepherds to have an important role in sharing this news with people of all societal classes. If the news came to the shepherds, it must be news for all people. It seems that God has always had his eyes on these people, beginning with Abraham the Father of many nations.
Fulfillment of prophesy is another aspect why God chose shepherds to see the Christ child. God fulfills His promises to His people-both in small and big things. Micah 4:8 speaks to shepherds being a “watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion.” To the shepherds it is promised that “The former dominion will be restored to you, kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.” Out of Bethlehem…will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times (Micah 5:2). It is very likely that the angels appeared to not just any shepherd, but Levitical shepherds who watched over animals destined for temple sacrifice. It is thought that the shepherds in the nativity narrative were watching their flocks on a plain north of Bethlehem in a place called Migdal Eder. Did they know that they would be part of the fulfillment of this prophesy in Micah? It is unlikely they would have heard the words of the prophesy read in the temple due to their uncleanliness. Did they understand what Savior meant? This might have made sense because they knew their sinfulness and need for an atoning sacrifice. Imagine the JOY they must have felt to feel valued with such AMAZING NEWS that a Savior was born for them, lowly, lonely shepherds! God Himself saw them and called them like valued members of a family to see the Christ child. What a beautiful image!
The Savior of the world came in a way we would not expect and to people we would not have chosen. The shepherds would have understood that all they really had to offer was themselves, not money or status. They were in a position to humbly receive the Christ child. We are told that they believed, glorified, and praised God. That is a testimony that would have been interesting to hear.
Christmas in Africa is always more contemplative somehow. I have never thought very much about these humble characters, the shepherds. I LOVE that God chose them as worthy to share this news with! I can imagine their joy to be entrusted with this news. I hope this will inspire you to consider these humble shepherds and see that the Good News is for all people.
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep...I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd my flock with justice." Ezekiel 34: 11-12; 16.
Blessed Advent!
Lindsey
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