Have you ever wondered why God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, would first announce the birth of his only son, the Savior of mankind, to lowly, stinking shepherds?
Me too. I think it's because of who they were. They were simple people, humble, not the most popular at dinner parties. They took care of the sheep, really cared for them. Sound like anyone else?
And what did they do when they heard the announcement? They believed a bunch of heavenly beings singing from the clouds about a baby. Then after seeing him, they ran through the streets and told everyone. Scripture says all who heard the news were amazed. So these guys on the bottom rung of the social ladder, sometimes ridiculed, are now amazing people with their news. Sound like anyone else?
I think the shepherds helped shine one more light on the proverbial stage of Jesus' life. They paved the way for those faithful to the Christ.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
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."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." - Luke 2:8-20