“And there were...shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.”!~ Lk. 2:8-9
I have preached for years the possible reasons for God telling the shepherds first of Christ’s birth. One purpose could have been that His Son was the Lamb of God, so was it not fitting for them to be the first to know? Another reason may have been that our Lord was to be the Great Shepherd, and it was proper for the under-shepherds to do Him homage.
But I now think it goes much deeper than this. And though it is deep, yet it’s clear. We usually miss the simple truths of the Word, imagining they must always be hidden and obscure. I believe the purpose for this annunciation to these men of the field is plain for all to see who will use their spiritual eyesight.
The good news was told these shepherds, because God wanted to show us how He is, preeminently, the Lord of the working man. And so, He first told those who tirelessly toiled for a living. The common man would hear Him gladly; therefore, He throws a halo over common labor.
Just think, the hour Christianity was birthed, common work by humble laborers was elevated by Heaven itself. The grocer, the shoe clerk, the construction worker, the college student, the at-home mom, the policeman—all these everyday employments have now been consecrated by the Holy One Himself. When the angels went to the shepherds, common chores would henceforth be crowned with glory forever.
If you’d like the Biblical insight to the issues of our day my son Andrew’s link is here.
Such a blessing, Dad.