9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

~Luke 2:9-10

 

The greatest birth announcement in the history of man, the Son of the Most High God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Great I Am, it was not before Kings and men of great position, but it was brought to everyday dudes, working me, guys doing the work that most would not do.   If anyone fit John 3:16 "Whosoever", these guys did.   That is the good news, that it is for "Everyone", the least likely, the most unexpected, it is for all who "Receive" it.

 

Something about these shepherds, many were uneducated and unskilled, they were not only considered social outcasts but were also considered spiritually unclean. Shepherds had to constantly care for the sheep and were not able to adhere to all the extra ceremonial laws and cleanliness stipulations that Pharisees were imposing on the people. 

 

But let's not completely overlook that these shepherds were more than likely tending sacrificial lambs for the Jerusalem Temples.  Is that not something to cause pause, cause you to stop for a moment to ponder, those tending sacrificial lambs would meet the lamb of God given for the sins of the world.   Let that sink in!

 

This is a reminder that:

• It is not your position.
• It is not your education.
• It is not based on how good you are.
• It is not based on your past.
• It is not based on your family tree, the stock you come from.

 

You are a "Whosoever!"

 

 

These shepherds would share the good news everywhere they went; they had experienced the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Lamb of God.

 

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,~Luke 1:17

The application here is to share the good news of Christ the Savior, so that everyone you encounter would know the good news.

 

 

I pray that we would be bolder this year, reach more with your good news, that we, like these lowly shepherds, would not keep quiet, that we would shout it from the rooftops, that no one would miss it, because Joy and Peace have come to us, and it is a gift to be shared.