It Starts Small

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Scripture Reading:

• Luke 2:8-12

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⁸ In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: ¹¹ Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12

If you’ve been keeping up, you might have seen a magnificent pattern unfolding. God operates in ways that defy our understanding! He selects the most flawed and imperfect individuals to be the ancestors of the Holy One. He empowers the underprivileged and inexperienced to place their trust in the Savior of the World. And, in a breathtaking display of humility, He brings the King of kings and Lord of lords into the world as a vulnerable infant.

God embraces the unconventional with fervor! He orchestrates events that defy the natural order of our world. While we might envision a specific path, God boldly forges His own! There’s an extraordinary purpose behind His choices. We catch a breathtaking glimpse of it when we encounter the next unexpected players in the miraculous story of Christ’s birth: the shepherds.

Imagine, for just a moment, the thrill of receiving incredible news that made your heart race and lit up your soul! Think of that transformative moment, one that rewrote your story in triumph. What was your immediate instinct? Undoubtedly, you wanted to share that exhilarating joy with someone dear. This person holds a cherished place in your life. It wouldn’t be the same sharing it with a mere stranger. This is the essence of our connections: we instinctively share our most precious news with those who mean the world to us.

There will never be a more magnificent piece of news to share. The most astounding moment is when the Son of God took on the humble form of the Son of Man. He came forth to rescue humanity from its fallen state! The Messiah has arrived, and nothing—absolutely nothing—compares to this extraordinary event! And just take a moment to marvel at whom God chose to unveil this divine news first! Among all of humanity, God honored the shepherds with the revelation of Christ’s birth. They were the diligent guardians of the flock. But….

What is wrong with shepherds?

To us, they embody a tender spirit—an endearing collection of well-bearded, animal-loving souls. Let’s be honest: in biblical times, shepherds hardly occupied a place of esteem. Day in and day out, they toiled outdoors, fiercely guarding and watching over their sheep. These creatures, often viewed as filthy, cast their guardians into equally grimy surroundings, stained with the marks of their labor. Yes, shepherds lived in a world that was soiled and smelly, but within that grit lies a profound dedication and love for the life they embraced. Some might have thought they were too much like the animals they guarded.

Beneath their rugged exteriors, shepherds were often seen as distant, unreliable, and untrustworthy souls. Many perceived them as being more akin to the flocks they tended than reflections of God’s divine image. Yet, witness the awe-inspiring choice God made. He selected these very men to be the first bearers of the most extraordinary news ever! These humble guardians of the fields could never have imagined being entrusted with such monumental tidings. They certainly never expected the Almighty Himself to reveal the arrival of the world’s Savior to them!

What does this reveal to us?

It powerfully reveals to us that God operates in a way that is astonishingly different from our own! As we reflect on this truth, we are filled with awe. We realize that this extraordinary aspect of His character is the very foundation of the Christmas story. If God acted according to our limited perspective, He would not have given His beloved Son to suffer and die for us. His boundless mercy would not have triumphed over judgment. Let us fervently praise God for being so remarkably distinct from us! May we wholeheartedly embrace this truth and make this Christmas an unforgettable celebration!

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.