Why shepherds?

By Darlene Smith
RR Ministerial

In the book of Luke we read about the shepherds that were in the field watching their sheep at night. Suddenly and angel appeared and the glory of the Lord surrounded them and they became terrified. [I think I would feel a little terror myself, although, the experience would be great.]
That angel was just the opening scene of that whole thing. Next thing you know the sky was filled with an angelic choir singing and worshipping God.
The shepherds then decided to go to Bethlehem to see the baby that the angel told them about. We know they found Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger just as the angel said.
A few questions come to mind about this story.
1. Why have the King of Kings being born in a barn in a small town? There was manure, straw that was probably not totally clean. There was likely animal saliva in the manger in which Jesus was laid by Mary and Joseph. Why there?
God does not think as we think. The way to succeed is by bowing low. His acts and purposes are best displayed in humility. He has taught us that if we humble ourselves before God, we will be lifted up.
2. Why, of all people, did God choose to announce this to shepherds?
In those days shepherds had lost the respect that they had during King David’s time. They tended to lean towards dishonesty with the fingers [if you get my drift]. Their greatest influence was over sheep and not people. They were likely smelly, inarticulate yet God trusted them with the most important announcement of all. The greatest heavenly show was given to them.
We would have thought that it should have been given to the governor or the church or the mayor. But the Lord chose to give the announcement to the least likely in our eyes.
It was not given to a multitude, but a few heard the announcement. We would have chosen a crowded stadium. God’s ways are not our ways.
I guess what impresses me the most about this whole story is the heart of God towards those that we would disqualify.
1 Samuel 16:7b
For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. Amplified Bible
The Christmas message was a message that embraced what mankind would disqualify. It was a message that God loved even those we despised. That He accepted those we would reject and that He trusted those we would not necessarily trust.
It is a message that the most powerful One would come to a small town and bring a world- wide message from the least likely place. It is a message of love that would impact history that would never end and would never be able to be snuffed out, although many have tried.
To our town and our region we say, the Lord of all Creation and the One who loves you the most, is happy that you exist, from the least to greatest in man’s eyes. The Rainy River Ministerial wishes a Merry Christmas.