The Lowliest Ones

Read Luke 2:8-15

 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Luke 2:8-10

For me, one of the most impactful messages of Christmas (because there are several), is this one shared in these passages. 

Jesus came for the lowliest ones.

He came to save us all, but how much do you know about shepherds? They were a smelly bunch, not to mention that the animals they slept with outdoors, and spent all their time with, were some of the dumbest animals on the planet! I'm not making this up. Look it up. Sheep are not smart. So if you were a sheep herder, you were not held in very high esteem because you stunk and you tended animals who weren't bright.

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty."  

1 Corinthians 1:27

God chose shepherds to be the first to hear the good news of the birth of his Son, and he not only chose them. He sent a host of angels to these rough and ragged few to make the announcement! I think he was trying to make a point. He gives honor to the lowly.

Maybe you've had some moments where you've felt unworthy. Maybe you’ve messed up and stumbled or fell short in some way. I'm thinking the Lord has already let you off the hook on this one. Make amends. Forgive yourself or seek forgiveness, and move on. The Father has declared you worthy of the gift of his Son. Nothing you could ever do would ever cause him to relent.