The Greatest Story

I love that we get to see God’s heart for the humble and lowly all throughout Scripture. His pursuit of all people is on display from cover to cover. But in Luke 2 there’s something spectacular that takes place that we don’t want to miss. 

Let’s first wrap our minds around what shepherds would have been like in that time period. They would have been dirty, smelly, and looked at as the lowest in the working class. They were possibly even teenagers who owned nothing and had nothing. 

With that said, for Heavenly beings to show up for these insignificant working class children and for one of the first proclamations of the birth of the Savior to be heralded to these nobodies from nowhere says something extraordinary about God’s intention and heart towards all people. 

Why does this matter? 

The birth of Jesus, the eternal gift of God’s presence, forgiveness, and salvation, was not just for the priestly and wealthy class, but it is for everyone. It is especially for the poor, the lowest class, and children. Luke writes, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to ALL the people” (2:10).

I can only imagine how this moment changed their lives. We know the shepherds must have exhibited signs of fear as the angel acknowledged their fear, but I believe their fear was also coupled with awe and wonder as the angels showed up singing! 

Speaking of singing, have you ever found yourself humming a song that you can’t get out of your head? In fact, you don’t even remember where you heard it! I’ll admit, this happens to me often. I’ll randomly start singing a song, and my kids will remind me that the song in my head was playing at a shop we were at earlier in the day. I wonder if the shepherds ever forgot the melody the angels were singing when they showed up in the field that evening – the evening that marked their life for eternity. 

I imagine that the shepherds never forgot anything about that night. The God of the universe not only saw them, but He took time to bring GOOD NEWS, even to them. The stories they told from that moment forward certainly impacted generations. The gospel changes lives, and we all have a part to play in telling the story. 

The Lord is so compassionate. He sees the down and out, the lonely, and the brokenhearted. He is a father to the fatherless and an advocate for widows. God rules from his holy dwelling place (Psalm 68:5). 

The Christmas season can be filled with both joy and sadness for many people. I’ve been there. I know what that feels like. My hope is that this shepherd story that you might have heard your entire life hits differently for you this year. This passage of Scripture is your reminder that you matter, and you belong. When others walk out, God walks in. God comes to us. He came to the shepherds right where they were, and He does the same today for you and me.

The songs of Christmas remind us that Jesus is for each and every one of us. We were chosen and rescued, and our hope is found in Him. We didn’t earn it. It is a gift. 

So what will you do with this gift? 

Can I encourage us all to live boldly for Christ and believe that we can impact generations to come? We each have a part to play. A God-story to tell. A song to sing. 

Every knee will bow. Jesus is King!