Why Shepherds?

So far this Advent Season we have talked about Angels announcing,  A baby leaping in the womb,  the Messiah coming in a tiny baby boy, John the Baptist,  Peace,  Joy,  Hope.

What has only been briefly noted was the Shepherds.  Those grungy men who slept with the sheep.  Walking through their poop.  Probably covered with those dirty animals wool droppings.  But none-the-less, for the most part, honest hard working men.  Women couldn’t be shepherds in those days!  

It was to these most common of persons that the  angels brought the first news of Jesus’ birth.  It must have seemed both awesome and frightening. Who were they to be in the presence of such holy messengers?  With such a holy message! I wonder if it made them want to wash their faces and shave?  Or, at least, change their clothes!  That probably would have been my first thought (; 

Why shepherds?

Or maybe the question is:  Why not shepherds?

After all Jesus called himself a shepherd!

It is not uncommon for people to feel that they are not worthy to have special notice from God.  Often the assumption is that you have to be someone extraordinary to get God’s attention. Someone who does great things.  Or is somehow more faithful.  Whatever that means!  

However, if you think about it, it was always the simple ordinary people that Jesus was drawn to.  Those less respected by the more elite.  Some of them were even labeled “sinners.”  

I always have to laugh at that expression.  

Who of us is not a sinner?

The very basic truth is: every soul upon this earth has missed the mark in honoring God!  A “sinner” being one who disrespects God in one way or another.  Opposite of righteous!  Not able to live up to perfection!  

It was to those “sinners” that Jesus came to with the most love and mercy!

And if the truth be told!  Jesus was not all that impressed with those who claimed righteousness!

If I do nothing else, in this Call I have been living for the last twenty-nine years, it will be to convince people of their worth to God.  To help them to understand that the words adequate, common and ordinary are not bad assessments of one’s character.

All anyone has to do is to read the Gospels to understand that Jesus stood for the little guys of this world.  The less privileged of society!  The working class! 

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

This message, given to the shepherd all those years ago, is the message to all the world that there is hope in the coming of the Christ child for you and me and all people.

 I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

All people!

As a matter of truth, he took on those lowly roles as his definition of leadership.  He claimed servant and shepherd as his titles.  Think about the very last lesson he taught his disciples before he was arrested.  After they had their last meal together; he bent down and washed their dung dirty feet.  "That," he said, "is how to love one another.”

Be a servant!  The lowliest kind of servant!

That is how you lead with integrity!  

Humbly! 

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 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.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.(Lk. 2:8-20)