God chose little people, places, things, and tasks to bring about the miraculous birth of the Son of God.
The angels did not appear to noble men of authority, but to simple shepherds -- little people.
A social wealthy woman was not chosen to be the mother of the Christ child. Mary, a simple godly virgin of Nazareth, received that honor.
The King of kings and Lord of lords was not born in a sterile hospital maternity ward. When Jesus came into this world God chose a little town called Bethlehem and a cold, damp, and smelly stable. Scripture doesn't mention a midwife, so Mary and Joseph probably delivered Baby Jesus. His bassinet was an animal feeding trough.
1 Corinthians 1:27,29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. . . . That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Little is much when God is in it.
The shepherds knew what to look for: a newborn Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. They found Him and worshipped Him, marveling at God's grace and goodness and the miracle He had wrought for them.
Luke 2:16,17 And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child.
These shepherds are good examples for us today. They received by faith the message God sent them and then responded with immediate obedience.
After finding the Baby, they reported the good news to others, glorifying and praising God. Then they humbly returned to their duties, new men going back to the same old job.
Telling others about the Saviour is a solemn obligation as well as a great privilege, and we who are believers must be faithful.
Here is the "good news" delivered to the shepherds. God sent a Saviour to meet man's greatest need. It was a message of peace to a world that had always known war.
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, "While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns more than even for outward peace."
Life was difficult at that time, just as it is today. Taxes were high, unemployment was high, and morals were slipping. Roman law, Greek philosophy, and even Jewish religion could not meet the needs of men's hearts.
Then God sent His son.
Looking after a flock of sheep is a hard task that requires a lot of experience, skill and know-how. When things were quiet, the shepherds may have swapped stories or talked about their families. One particular night the sky lit up. All of a sudden an angel of the Lord stood there and the glory of the Lord shone around them.
"What the . . .!" Scripture says they were sore afraid. I think they were petrified.
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ The Lord.
The shepherds knew about David and rejoiced in the birth for their long awaited Messiah. A praise service broke out, and a multitude of the heavenly host joined them. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men,” Oh, the joy!
When things calmed down, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and worshipped the Holy Baby.
Can you imagine a shepherd returning home that night? “Woman, you won’t believe what happened. I saw the Messiah.”
I tend to think everyone gets giddy like me at Christmas, but in an imperfect -- sometimes ugly -- world, it's not always the case. Whatever your circumstances may be, all you need for Christmas is the peace that only Jesus can give.
One of my most touching Christmases was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer a week before singing in our Christmas cantata at church. The lyrics moved to a song that made me forget about the cancer. Realizing that Jesus was born to search for me, I blubbered through the entire song.
He was seeking for me; Jesus was seeking for me.
Tho' I knew Him not, still He loved me and was seeking for me ....
He was reaching for me, but I rejected His touch.
Instead I reached for other things I thought meant so much;
Things of value in earth's market, I had sought all of them;
But all the time I was seeking, I was seeking for Him.
So I reached out to Jesus, crying Lord hear my plea.
For I want You to have all of me.
Then out of darkness I saw His light of love
Giving me a brand new start.
O praise The Lord, Jesus found me
When I gave Him all my heart.
The first announcement of the Messiah's birth was given by an angel to some anonymous shepherds.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ The Lord.
Why shepherds? Why not to priests or scribes? Shepherds were really outcasts in Israel. Their work not only made them ceremonially unclean, but it kept them away from the temple for weeks at a time so that they couldn't be made clean.
God doesn't call the rich and mighty; He calls the poor and the lowly.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise: and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty . . . . 29. That no flesh should glory in His presence.
The Messiah came to be both the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God, sacrificed for the sins of the world. It was fitting that the good news about God's Shepherd and Lamb be given first to humble shepherds.
How amazed the angels must have been when they saw the Creator born as a creature, the Word coming as a speechless baby.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
The best response from our hearts at Christmas is wonder and worship that God would send His precious Son into poverty to offer us salvation.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh . . .
John 3:16,17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus, my Savior, to Bethlehem come
Laid in a manger to sorrow and shame
Oh, it was wonderful, blest be His Name
Seeking for me -- Seeking for me
E. E. Hasty
Somebody wrote a song entitled Mary Was The First One to Carry The Gospel.
Great with child, it surely was an uncomfortable journey to Bethlehem, but Mary rejoiced in doing the will of God. When I was great with child, I could hardly get out of a chair much less ride a donkey on a road trip. No doubt she was glad to get away from the wagging tongues in Nazareth.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
We should worship God for who He eternally was. is, and shall be. We rejoice at Christmas because Jesus became flesh, a babe, to dwell among men and become our Redeemer.
Living He loved me, dying, He saved me,
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever.
One day He's coming -- O glorious day.
