The shepherds were VIPs 🐑

The arrival of Jesus in a manger was met with some incredible fanfare, wasn’t it? Kings, queens, and princes lined up by the thousands to welcome the future King of the world. The media was there with hundreds of journalistic scribes who detailed every cry, whimper, and burp of the infant destined to save the Jews. Not!!!! 

You know the truth already, don’t you? There wasn’t even room at the local inn. Mary and Joseph were alone on a cold night, surrounded by animals, hay, and dung. But the most beautiful thing happened in the heavens, and the only ones who saw it were the poor shepherds. “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.’” (Luke 2:9-10, NIV) 

The angel announced, “‘I bring you good tidings of great joy…’” (Luke 2:10, NKJV) Why did God give this great fireworks display in the sky to a few poor kids? Maybe they were the only ones who were pure because “‘Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.’” (Matthew 5:8, NKJV) Or maybe it was because nobody else expected the Messiah to come to Nazareth: “And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” (John 1:46, NKJV)

Maybe no one expects you to accomplish very much. Maybe you come from a bad part of your town. Or maybe your mistakes have blinded everyone from seeing your divine potential. But God sees you differently than you see yourself or the way others see you. “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” (Psalms 139:17, NKJV) 

The Advent season is all about seeing ourselves and others through God’s lenses. It’s all about seeing Christ differently and seeing ourselves as Christ sees us. I pray that the Messiah will help you prepare yourself for His arrival. I pray you will be transformed by this revelation. 

Because you’re a miracle. 

And I’m your friend, 

Paul Marc Goulet