Shepherds. According to Luke, shepherds were the first people to hear of the birth of Christ. To be a shepherd was an honorable profession and an essential one in an agrarian society, but parents may not have bragged about their son’s vocation. “Good to see you! Did I tell you that my son was just promoted to head of sales in the purple cloth division? That’s right. He travels to Damascus every week. He even has his own camel. But enough about him, what about your son? Oh. Still a shepherd? Well, that’s nice.”

Some people may prefer Matthew’s version of Jesus’ birth. It may seem more fitting of the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Matthew does not even mention shepherds. After Jesus’ birth, he goes right to the wise men. Now that is more like it—Jesus visited by wealthy wise men who bring expensive gifts.

Or what about John’s poetic prologue that talks about Jesus as the Word who is the light for all of creation? John’s language flows with grace and power. That too may seem more fitting of the Messiah after all.

So what is it with Luke and his shepherds? Perhaps Luke is reminding us all on this glorious Christmas Day that Jesus came not just for the rich, the powerful, and the prestigious. Perhaps Luke is reminding us all that Jesus came for the lowly and the marginalized, too. Perhaps Luke is reminding us all that the good news is especially for the shepherds of the world. That is why they are privileged first with the miraculous news that God has chosen to become flesh and is now dwelling in our midst in the form of this child born in a manger!

—Rodger Nishioka, associate professor of Christian education, Columbia Theological Seminary