“Why us?” - The Shepherds
In this series, we take a closer look at the Nativity story through the lens of each character to see how God works in unexpected ways through unexpected circumstances.
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20
The first Christmas party took place over 2000 years ago. What’s really interesting about this particularly party is how the hosts had no control over the guest list. Imagine the look on Joseph and Mary as they realized that God had taken over the guest list of their baby shower and invited a group of shepherds, of all people.
Significance of the shepherds
These unexpected guests would have been considered unwelcomed by most in that society simply because they were “unclean.” Not only was this uncleanliness evident in their choice of lifestyle and vocation, but was also true in the sense that they would not have been able to participate in society in the same way as others around them. Despite being Jewish citizens, when it came to temple access they would have been lumped together with the Gentiles. The irony in this treatment is that the very same religious system that kept them on the fringes of society also depended on them for the very same sheep and lambs needed for temple sacrifices. You might say that they were even necessary.
The same can be true of their inclusion in the Christmas story. God certainly felt this to be the case, as he allowed his glory to shine and surround these shepherds as they were out in the fields near Bethlehem. Despite their uncleanliness, God saw fit to show these shepherds his glory in the flesh as the angels invited them to see the sign that was specifically for them. A child wrapped in swaddling cloths in a manger (feeding trough). This glory was the very same glory that Moses, another shepherd, wished to see in Exodus 33. In that story, God denied this request and permitted that Moses should only see God’s back side as he passed by, lest he should die.
What this means for us
If you’ve ever felt on the outside or on the fringe of society like these shepherds, the message of Christmas to you is that God has invited you. He wants your presence and he wants you to witness his. He wants you to know that he’s not inaccessible. Like the feeding trough that Jesus was born into, God wants you to find him in the familiar. He has come and, as the angels say, he has been born “unto you.” He knows what it is like to be left out on the outside. This is how Jesus lived much of his life and is the reason why he can identify with us and we don’t need to fear him. Instead, we can draw near knowing that because of Jesus, his presence is no longer a threat, but an invitation.
Study questions:
What does it mean to be “unclean” in our society today?
Have you ever felt on the “outside” of your community? What was it like?
In what ways has God introduced himself to you in the familiar? It could be in your passions, your hobbies, or even in your job.
Have you ever felt fear in the presence of God?
How can we better respond to God’s invitation this Christmas?
