The Shepherds At The Birth Of Christ: Their Significance And Lessons For Our Faith Journey
By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON
Each year we gather around the Christmas Creche as we contemplate the gift of our Incarnate Lord. We see Mary and Joseph, the child Jesus, the Magi pagans from the east, and the shepherds. These individuals participated in the first moments of the incarnate life of the newborn Savior, and yet do we really understand the significance they participated in the plan of our salvation history? Today, as we celebrate the newborn child of Bethlehem, let us reflect on the role the shepherds played in God’s unfolding plan.
The story of the shepherds at the birth of Christ is a poignant narrative in the Nativity account that often draws admiration for its simplicity and depth. Found in the Gospel of Luke, these humble individuals were among the first to receive the glorious news of Christ’s birth, making their role essential in the broader understanding of God’s redemptive plan. Exploring the theological and spiritual importance of the shepherds can assist us in understanding how their experience serves as a guide for living out our faith today.
The shepherds were ordinary, working-class individuals, often marginalized in their society. The shepherds’ work required long hours in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks, far removed from the political and religious elite of their time. Despite their lowly status, they became part of the most profound moments in salvation history. When the angel of the Lord appeared to them, bringing the good news of great joy, it emphasized a vital truth: God’s message is for all people, regardless of status or position. This intentional selection of shepherds underscores the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom. Jesus later taught that, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). By revealing Christ’s birth to the shepherds, God demonstrated His preference for the humble and lowly, aligning with His promise to uplift the meek and bring salvation to all. This teaches us that no matter our social standing, we are all equally precious in God’s sight and invited to partake in His divine plan of salvation.
The angel’s proclamation to the shepherds was nothing short of extraordinary. The infancy narrative of Luke’s Gospel recounts this extraordinary moment: “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” (Luke 2:10-12).
The angel’s message was profound for several reasons. First, it directly addressed the shepherds’ fear, reflecting God’s consistent call to cast aside fear, calling humanity to trust in Him. Second, it announced the arrival of the Savior, fulfilling centuries of Messianic prophecies and bringing hope to a weary world, hope that is still needed today. The description of the Messiah as a baby wrapped in “swaddling clothes” and lying in a manger was a stark contrast to the earthly kings and rulers of the time. This imagery highlighted Christ’s humility and the accessibility that was afforded to all who sought to seek out Christ. Today, this angelic announcement reminds us of the transformative power of the Gospel. Just as the shepherds heard and responded to the good news, we, too, are called to receive God’s message with joy and share it with others.
When God reveals Himself to us, it is an invitation to participate in the salvific action of redemption. Likewise, at the moment of the Incarnation, the shepherds were invited to be the first to see “The Word made Flesh.”The shepherds’ response to the angelic message was immediate and wholehearted: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:15-16)
Their actions exemplify several key aspects of faith. First, the shepherds did not hesitate to act on the divine message. Their willingness to leave their flocks in search of the Savior demonstrates an obedience of spiritual proportions over material concerns. The shepherds were obedient to the Divine Revelation that God had manifested before their eyes. Second, the importance of the different people gathered at the Nativity shows the communicable aspect of our faith. The shepherds acted together, encouraging one another in their journey. This illustrates the importance of fellowship and our shared faith in seeking God. Third, in all the direct moments of divine revelation there exists an urgency to act. The shepherds’ decision to “hurry off” to Bethlehem reflects the zeal and passion with which we should pursue God’s presence in our lives. This response to Christ serves as a model for us to follow. Like the shepherds, we are called to respond promptly to God’s call, to seek Him earnestly, and to do so in the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
After encountering the Christ child, the shepherds became the first evangelists of the Gospel: “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-18).Their transformation from ordinary shepherds to heralds of the Messiah is significant. Despite their humble status, they boldly proclaimed the good news, becoming instruments of God’s revelation to others. This highlights the universality of the call to evangelize. Sharing the Gospel is not reserved for the learned or the clergy, but is a privilege and responsibility for all who have experienced the love of Christ. The shepherds remind us that we don’t need extensive theological training or high social standing to share our faith.
The story of the shepherds offers profound lessons that can guide us in our walk of faith and enable us to share with others.
Humility and openness to God is important. Just as the shepherds were open to receiving the angelic message, we must cultivate humility and openness to hear God’s voice in our lives and listen to where He is calling us to follow.
Trusting in God’s promise of a share in everlasting life is essential. The shepherds believed the angelic message without hesitation, teaching us to trust in God’s promises even when they challenge our understanding.
Our faith calls us to act. In fact, at the end of each Mass we are instructed to go out into the world and live what we have experienced through our encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Immediately the shepherds respond in seeking Jesus by just going. This illustrates that faith requires action. It’s not enough to hear or believe; we must actively pursue God’s will in our lives.
Being joyful witnesses of our encounters with Christ is necessary to lead others to the child of Bethlehem. We can become grinches in how we share the example of our faith. The shepherds, however, shared their experience as the first witnesses of the Incarnation joyfully, reminding us that our faith is not meant to be private but shared with those around us.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the shepherds’ story is that they encountered Christ in the most ordinary of settings — a stable. This mirrors the reality that God often reveals Himself in the everyday moments of our lives. We don’t need grand signs or miraculous events to experience His presence. By cultivating awareness and gratitude, we can recognize God’s hand in the seemingly mundane aspects of life. The shepherds’ journey — from tending their flocks to witnessing the Savior’s birth and sharing the good news — illustrates the transformative power of faith. Their lives were forever changed by their encounter with Christ, and they became part of the unfolding story of salvation. Similarly, living our faith should not be static but dynamic, leading toward a transformation in how we live, think, and interact with others. Like the shepherds, we are invited to leave behind our old familiar manner of life, and step into the extraordinary moments God reveals for us each day.
The shepherds’ presence at the birth of Christ represents the beauty of God’s love for all and the power that our faith plays in the joy of sharing the Gospel. Their humble beginnings and profound response to God’s revelation offer timeless lessons for believers. As we reflect on their story, we are reminded that the journey of faith is one of humility, trust, and conversion.
Like the shepherds, may we always be ready to respond to God’s call, seek His presence with urgency, and share the good news with those around us. By doing so, we honor the profound meaning the shepherds played in the plan of our salvation.
As we gaze upon the nativity this Christmas and see the shepherds, may we continue the timeless work they began in proclaiming Christ’s love to the world.
May all of our readers have a blessed and holy Christmas. Know that each of you will have a special place in my heart as I celebrate my Christmas Masses. Merry Christmas!
