The Angels of Advent Series: The Shepherds and the Angels
By: Dr. Gregory S. Neal
The Angel's declaration of the Messiah's birth to the shepherds presents us with a curious conundrum; it's not the way we would expect to hear about such an auspicious event. In the first century shepherds had a less than stellar reputation in polite Hebraic society. The Rabbis of that day said about shepherds:
“Most of the time they were dishonest and thieving; they led their herds onto other people’s land and stole the produce of the land.”
Similarly, a midrash on Psalm 23:2 reads: "There is no more disreputable occupation than that of a shepherd.” Philo, a Jewish philosopher who lived during the lifetime of Jesus, wrote regarding shepherds: “Such pursuits are held mean and inglorious.” Shepherds were not allowed to serve in a judicial office nor were they even admitted in court as credible witnesses.
Nevertheless, and in contrast to these negative characterizations, it is also true that some of Israel’s greatest heroes were shepherds: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Zipporah (Moses’ wife), David … indeed, both the 23rd Psalm and Jesus both compare God’s care of God’s people to that of a shepherd for the sheep! And, of course, Jesus identified himself as our “Good Shepherd.”
It’s these least regarded, least trusted, least respected, lowest of the working poor in Jewish society who were out in the fields, doing their jobs, when an angel of the Lord appeared to them and gave them this amazing message:
That’s weird; The Savior, the Messiah, the King of Kings is born in a stable and lying in a manger? This is yet another major exercise in contrasts: babies who would grow up to be kings, priests, great military generals, people of power and great influence, and certainly the divine Son of God, wouldn’t be born in a stable! And, even more importantly, such a one wouldn’t be the humble child of a poor carpenter and a young maiden, both of whom were not yet married!“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
The cultural expectation – then, as now – is that such a consequential figure should have been born to rich people, to powerful people, to rulers, governors, generals, Kings and Queens, not to poor people from an occupied, backwater vassal kingdom on the far eastern edge of the Empire. He wouldn’t be wrapped tightly in bands of rough cloth … he should have been swathed in rich silks and warm furs! He wouldn’t have been lain in a manger – a feeding trough made of cold stone – but a bed of gold, rich woods, and soft cotton sheets. Mangers are for grain, straw, or water … not a baby! And, certainly, not the Son of God!
The image is a powerful one. The image is one of contrasts. The image is one that we cannot ignore, that we dare not overlook or miss. This babe, lying in a manger – a feeding trough – is the one who would grow up to feed, to nourish, to deliver, to teach and transform the whole world.
That’s why we’re here tonight; we are here to proclaim, along with the angels, the incarnation and birth of Jesus the Christ, God’s anointed one, who has come among us to challenge and change us all. We are here to join with the shepherds, with Mary and Joseph, with Zachariah and Elizabeth, with John the Baptist and all the Disciples, in proclaiming to a broken and hurting world the good news of the incarnation and birth of the one who is Emmanuel, “God with Us.” We are here to proclaim the coming of God to be among us, to proclaim Jesus as our nourishment and strength, our joy and peace, our hope and love. We are here to feast on the riches of God’s grace and follow The Way of the Christ Child.
O Come … let us adore him!
O Come … let us adore him!
O Come … let us adore him!
Christ the Lord.
© 2009 Dr. Gregory S. Neal
All Rights Reserved
The Reverend Dr. Gregory S. Neal is the Senior Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa, and an ordained Elder of the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Duke University, and Trinity College, Dr. Neal is a scholar of Systematic Theology, New Testament origins, and Biblical Languages. His areas of specialization include the theology of the sacraments, in which he did his doctoral dissertation, and the formation and early transmission of the New Testament. Trained as a Christian educator, he has taught classes in these and related fields while also serving for more than 30 years as the pastor of United Methodist churches in North Texas.
As a popular teacher, preacher, and retreat leader, Dr. Neal is known for his ability to translate complex theological concepts into common, everyday terms. HIs preaching and teaching ministry is in demand around the world, and much of his work can be found on this website. He is the author of several books, including Grace Upon Grace: Sacramental Theology and the Christian Life, which is in its second edition, and Seeking the Shepherd's Arms: Reflections from the Pastoral Side of Life, a work of devotional literature. Both of these books are currently available from Amazon.com.
As a popular teacher, preacher, and retreat leader, Dr. Neal is known for his ability to translate complex theological concepts into common, everyday terms. HIs preaching and teaching ministry is in demand around the world, and much of his work can be found on this website. He is the author of several books, including Grace Upon Grace: Sacramental Theology and the Christian Life, which is in its second edition, and Seeking the Shepherd's Arms: Reflections from the Pastoral Side of Life, a work of devotional literature. Both of these books are currently available from Amazon.com.