Tag: shepherds

It’s Christmas! Merry merry Christmas to all our family and friends!

We’ve had three days of celebrating and have loved every minute of it. My favorite was yesterday when Andrew and I and our kids were together for the whole day. We worshipped at church where our beautiful daughter-in-law sang, ate good food, opened gifts, read the Christmas story, ate lots of candy, opened books and spent time reading, played games, and just enjoyed one another’s company.

As we ponder the Christmas story this year, our pastor focused a bit on the shepherds. What I love about the Bible is that every single line, every event, every person is significant. And if you understand the depth and significance and weight each thing carries, it just magnifies the truth of it all.

Why shepherds? Why were they the first to be told of the Savior’s birth? Why not the priests? The elite? The rich? Why the shepherds?

Did you know it matters?

The shepherds were considered the lowliest of lows. They were known as the unforgivables because it was generally believed they stole from their neighbors by letting their sheep graze in other’s property and then not paying it back. They weren’t allowed in the temple to worship because of this. No one considered them to even be thought of by God.

But God. He sent his angel to tell the shepherds first that He’d sent His Son to earth. And the message was so important.

“Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for ALL people.”

Not only did God send His angel to the shepherds but He gave them a message that was sure to directly include them. This is for ALL people. Even you. The lowliest of lows.

Isn’t God great?

Remember the shepherds this Christmas if you’re feeling less than perfect. Maybe you’ve looked at too many Instagram posts of matching jammies and picture perfect decorating. Maybe you hardly had any money because you’re a first time single mama and had to thrift shop for your kids. Maybe you’re all sick in the couch and missing the festivities. Or you’re desperately missing a loved one and having a hard time enjoying the season.

Remember the shepherds.

God included them. He didn’t just include them, he put those who were last in society first. He told them first, He sent them to His son first, and He gave them the important job of telling everyone else.

God didn’t think the shepherds were unworthy. He loved them so much He sent His only son to them to save them.

And God met the shepherds right where they were, dirty, alone, cold, with no friends but each other and their flocks. God didn’t care that their tunics were dirty or their sheep had grazed in the wrong area. It didn’t bother God that no one else gave them the time of day.

Guess what? God doesn’t care if your house is Pinterest worthy. It doesn’t matter to Him if you have a three day old sweatshirt on with baby spit-up on the shoulder. He’s happy to come into your home even if the wrapping paper is still all over the floor (here) or your kids have only eaten candy for three days (yep) or your tired and sad and lonely.

None only does it not matter to Him, he WANTS to come in. He wants to give you the good news of great joy.

It’s for you.

All you have to do is believe it.