Bible Verse: When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20
The word “shepherd” appears over two hundred and ninety times in the Bible. God has a fondness for the occupation and, in physical form, compared Himself to a Shepherd:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.” John 10:11
The story of Jesus’ birth reflects God’s message of inclusivity throughout the gospels.
Instead of announcing His Son’s birth to the famous and influential, God revealed it to shepherds, who were considered unimportant and unpopular in society. Being a shepherd was a challenging job, as it involved protecting someone else’s property, spending days in fields with animals, and having limited access to basic amenities.
This choice symbolizes that Jesus came to serve and uplift the poor and marginalized. For centuries, the world had been waiting for a Messiah, and when it finally happened, the good news came to insignificant shepherds. The story of the shepherds highlights a few of God’s qualities: His preference for the humble, His desire to reach out to the forgotten, and His love for all people.
We are all equal in the eyes of God. He doesn’t care about our background or status. What matters to Him is that we come to Him, no matter where we are.
A few years ago, my church organized an outreach program where some young people slept on the streets of Toronto to experience homelessness. When asked about the biggest takeaway from the experience, they replied, “The feeling of being unworthy of acknowledgement or being seen.” However, God sees us all, and we are all worthy in His eyes.
It is important to humble ourselves and worship God. Even though it may seem strange to kneel in front of a baby lying in a food manger in a stable, that is what God requires from us. By humbling ourselves and glorifying Him ultimately, we fulfill our purpose and honour His will.
God wants us to put Him first in our lives. To leave our sheep in the field when he wants us to follow Him. Nothing should hold us back; not people, belongings, or cultural expectations.
Prayer: Father, I know I treat people according to worldly standards at times. Please change my heart to see people the way You see them. Amen.
Reflection: Is there someone you could treat differently this week? Perhaps someone you usually ignore, like a homeless person or a stranger neighbour?
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