Luke 2:9-12
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. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (NIV)

In ancient Israel, a shepherd’s life was not glamorous. They were dirty, they smelled like sheep, many of them had rough pasts, and they weren’t accepted in most social circles. They were outcasts. Out in the field, I suppose, there were many opportunities to become ceremonially “unclean” according to Jewish law. And since they were probably stared at in synagogue, I doubt they went often, or even bothered worrying about cleansing rituals. Their lives were very routine. Go to the field, watch sheep, go home. I'm sure thoughts of, “What am I doing with my life?” were often on their mind.

I imagine it was a night like many others—the day shift anxious to leave the field, the night shift dragging their feet to spend another night in the cold, watching… well… sheep. But this was their life. They spent many a cold night on that hill. I’m sure there were off-color jokes told. Conversations about marriage, family, kids. Stories about their most famous shepherd, King David, and wondering if something amazing could happen to them the way it happened to David. And then IT happened. 

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them...” THEM!! Why them? Why not the Pharisees? Why not a revered king? Why dirty, messy shepherds? Because they were going to be His friends, the type of people Jesus would hang out with. Along with prostitutes, sinners, and tax collectors. The lame, the blind, the confused. Roman soldiers, little children, and a Samaritan woman. People who didn’t have it all together. People who were messy. People like me and you. 

Monday’s Reflection

This Christmas season, don’t worry about cleaning up your mess before you encounter Jesus. Let Him meet you right where you are, in your mess, and be your friend.