Shepherds

As we prepare for Pilgrimage to Bethlehem, many of our youth will be stepping into the sandals of the shepherds—playing a key role in telling the story of Jesus' birth. Before they put on their costumes and assume their places in the village, it’s worth taking a moment to learn more about who these shepherds were in the time of Jesus.

Back in the time when Jesus was born, shepherds were considered to be at the bottom of the social ladder. They were seen as unclean by religious standards, usually lived in isolation, and did the kind of work that wasn’t valued much by society. Being a shepherd was a job for those who didn’t have many other options, and they often got a bad reputation, sometimes even being associated with dishonesty or breaking tradition. So, it's pretty surprising that when the angel first announced the birth of the Messiah, the news went straight to these low-status shepherds.

In Luke 2:8-20, we read that the angel appeared to the shepherds out in the fields near

Bethlehem and told them the long-awaited Savior had been born. “Don’t be afraid,” the angel said, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” The shepherds were scared at first, but once they took in the news, they couldn’t help but feel amazed and full of joy. They rushed to see the baby in the manger, becoming the first people to witness the greatest news the world would ever hear.

This choice to reveal the birth of Jesus to shepherds says a lot about God's kingdom. Jesus, the Savior of the world, wasn’t announced to kings, the wealthy, or powerful rulers. Instead, God chose to reveal this earth-shattering news to ordinary, humble people—those who were often overlooked and deemed unimportant. By reaching out to these shepherds first, God was making it clear: the gospel is for everyone, especially those who are pushed to the edges of society and seen as “unworthy” by the world.