Angels, Shepherds and Wise Men, pt. 2

The Shepherds represent another kind of person invited to be a part of that first Christmas. They were the lowest of the low in that society. Shepherding was "non-skilled" labor. It required little intelligence or education. It was usually reserved for the youngest member of the family. And yet, this is one of only two groups to whom God chose to reveal what was happening that night. And the key word is: reveal. You see, we humans can no nothing objective about God except what He chooses to reveal to us. Just look at all the religions in the world. They are in contradiction to each other because, while we know there is a God, we do not know enough about God to say anything with certainty about Him. That is why He had to reveal Himself to us. That evening He used angels to reveal the start of the more complete revelation that would be given in Jesus Christ. And the shepherds reacted as we all must. First, they praised God, even though they didn't understand all of the implications of what was happening, and what they thought they did understand was wrong. After all, they were looking for an earthly king and Jesus was nothing of the sort. But they praised God, as should we, even, and especially, when we don't understand. Then, they went to learn more about what God was doing. And lastly, they went and told others. Praise, learning and witness - three pretty good reactions at Christmas, don't you think?

Pastor Ken