The Shepherds

Another of the Advent figure are the shepherds. Now we look at the shepherds with a certain "cuteness". Most of the images and statues of them are sentimentalized. But shepherds at the time of Jesus were the "low lifes". Those who cannot keep a regular jobs. I like how one priest said that they were considered the "scum of the earth" during Jesus' time. Yet, they where the first to hear the GOSPEL, the Good News. The scum of the earth were the first choice of the Father to be blessed by the announcement of the birth of the King of Kings! What an upside down and odd God we have! Here we see that God operates differently from us. Most of us when having a birthday party for our children, we try to invite the most famous, influential or powerful people we know. I remember attending my godsons' baptism, one of the high ranking government official was there. I even think that the people there got more excited with him than my godson. The proclamation of the angels to the shepherds shows us that God's way are so far above our ways! Thank God that it is. The shepherds should give us hope! Even if we are considered by the world as misfits, outcast and scums of the earth, we are God's chosen ones. No matter how much we debase and down cast ourselves, God still want to proclaim the Good News to us. He still continues to send his angels to us and proclaiming that no matter what we have done, Jesus is here to save us! Listen to that still small voice in your heart, it might be the angels inviting you to open your heart to the coming of your Savior, Jesus.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Next time you have a party, invite the poor. In doing this, we are passing the blessing that the Father has given us!