The Shepherds
Before we jump in!
I post a video on youtube each week to accompany the blog. This weeks video is VERY exciting for me because we were able to film in a podcast format as I prep for my new podcast coming out in the new year. If you want to get a behind-the-scenes look you can check that out here.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programing… …
The Underdog Story of the Shepherds
Today, we’re diving into the story of some of the most unexpected participants in the Christmas narrative: the shepherds. These guys are an essential part of the nativity story, yet they often feel like background characters, right? But here’s the thing—God didn’t make them a footnote in the most important story ever told. Their story is filled with meaning, purpose, and everyday truths that we can carry with us today.
The Cultural Context of Shepherds
Understanding the shepherds’ world brings their story to life.
In the Old Testament, shepherds were kind of a big deal. Abraham, Moses, and David? All shepherds. God Himself is often described as a shepherd—guiding, protecting, and caring for His flock.
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
Fast-forward to the first century– and things had changed drastically. Shepherds were no longer admired. They were marginalized, considered unclean because of their constant contact with animals, and were often stereotyped as dishonest- they couldn’t even testify in court.*
It wasn’t that they’d done something wrong. It was more about unwritten rules that had been added on to the law. They were stuck in an impossible system that excluded them from the community.
Sound familiar?
Why Shepherds?
They were the lowest of the low, and yet, God chose them to be the first ones to hear about the birth of Jesus.
Picture it. These men are out in the fields, doing their shepherd things, when BAM! An angel appears and shares this good new with them.
Luke 2:8-10
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 that will cause great joy for all the people.
I want us to pay attention to one word in this verse- the very first one- AND
You don’t START a story with AND- it’s a conjunction*, it links two thoughts together. So let’s see what happens right before this.
Luke 2:7-8
she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds….
We can’t miss this, in the manger AND there were shepherds in the field. These guys aren’t a footnote, they’re not just a part of the same story as Jesus, they’re practically in the same sentence.
It’s as if God is saying, “These two things are connected: the Savior of the world and the overlooked of society.”
What the Shepherds Teach Us
The shepherds didn’t hesitate. They didn’t sit around debating, “Are we good enough to go see this Savior?” They didn’t second-guess the angel’s message. They responded immediately with faith and obedience.
And after they found Jesus, what did they do? They told everyone.
Luke 2:17-18
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.
These guys, who society said weren’t trustworthy, became the first to share the good news.
Why This Matters for Us
So, what does this mean for us today?
God Sees the Overlooked
Maybe you feel like an underdog. Maybe you’ve been told you don’t belong or that your voice doesn’t matter. We can’t miss this, the opinions of others can’t sway God’s love. The shepherds’ story is proof that God sees you, values you, and invites you into His story.Joy over Skepticism. If you’re like me, skepticism can your joy - If this is you, the shepherds have an important lesson to teach us. As far as I can tell, they didn’t second guess this gift -they didn’t delay. They acted in faith, and they found Jesus.
Good News is Meant to be Shared
The shepherds didn’t keep their experience to themselves. They told others, and their words mattered—despite what society said - and Your story matters, too.
Jesus and the Shepherds: A Bigger Picture
It’s no coincidence that shepherds were chosen to witness Jesus’ birth. Later in His ministry, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, the one who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). The shepherds’ presence at the nativity shows us that from the very beginning His mission was to seek and save the lost.
And here’s the best part: the shepherds didn’t have to clean themselves up or prove their worthiness to be included in God’s plan. They came as they were, with open hands and open hearts, ready to receive.
Closing Thought
The story of the shepherds shows us the heart of God—a God who values the humble, the rejected, the overlooked and the marginalized. A God who flips the script and gives dignity to the ones society dismisses.
So, this week, let’s step into the story God is writing, knowing that He sees us, loves us, and has a purpose for us—just like He did for the shepherds that night in Bethlehem.
See you next week!
*If you started singing School-House-Rock…. you’re my people
