In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. - Luke 2:1‭-‬17‭, ‬19‭-‬21 ESV 

Rev. Dwight Yoo

The surprising shepherds

When a baby is born, the most important people should know first. Your close family and friends. But when God sends out his son's birth announcements, who does God notify? God notifies the shepherds. These were considered low class without power. There is even speculation that their word was not admissable in court. But God lets them know first. Not only that, but Jesus identifies with the shepherds. He comes for not the powerful, but the lowly. So if you feel second class or lesser whether because of your gender, ethnicity, or education level, take comfort that God came for you firstly. To the church, we are called to not favor the rich or the powerful.

The Angel's anthem

After one angel announces the birth, there is a sudden song from an army of angels. They speak of the coming of God's favor and peace. But this is not just released into the air to everyone. Additional, it is not something we can earn. It is a gift from God through faith in Jesus. We are all spiritual bankrupt. All our success, talents, and material possessions are all blessings by grace. We did not earn them without God's grace.