“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”   (Luke 2:1-19)

At last the promised Messiah, Israel’s long awaited King would make His entrance!  But the expecting couple was not welcomed into a palace, checked into a hospital, or even given a room to sleep in.  His crib was not hand carved from the finest cedars of Lebanon, and his layette was not hand embroidered.  In reality, the birth of Jesus did not resemble royalty in any way.  

It’s quite obvious that Jesus didn’t enter a sterile environment.  The stable of His birth was probably contaminated with animal waste, and His bed had earlier been used as a feeding trough.  On one hand it seems so incompatible with His true identity, but on the other hand it makes perfect sense.  Jesus Christ came down from Heaven, the most glorious place imaginable, to dwell in a world contaminated with sin.  Had He been born in a palace, it would have still been a pitiful place compared to Heaven!  But, there’s something more:  Had Jesus been born in the lap of luxury, would He have been accessible?  Touchable?  Reachable?  Immanuel – God with us – was not shielded from dirt, the derelict, or the destitute.  He came to be with us, not above us or removed from us.  As Isaiah 53:4a states, “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…”  We have a Savior who understands our difficulties and suffering, and did something about it.  He became one of us, so we could become one with Him. And He came for all the people!

In that culture, shepherds were not highly respected individuals.  After living out in the fields caring for sheep, they probably were not the cleanest people you’d meet.  They certainly weren’t men of influence or wealth, and wouldn’t have the means to help Jesus’ little family.  Did the angels get lost on the way to the palace, or the town criers office?  Hardly!  So what’s the significance of the angel telling shepherds?  Why would this grand celestial display be lavished on shepherds?

There are certainly parallels that can be drawn, such as Jesus calling Himself the Good Shepherd in John 10, and the fact He would one day lay down His life as the spotless Lamb of God.  But perhaps the most obvious answer is simply that God is not impressed by titles or credentials or education.  God cares about people, and lowly shepherds are as important to Him as lofty governors.  The good news of great joy was really for all the people. Even for shepherds – even for you and me!