When God Comes to the Forgotten: The Shepherds’ Story
Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? That sinking feeling when you realize you weren’t invited to the gathering, or when you walk into a room and feel completely out of place? These experiences often get pushed aside and forgotten, but they create a pattern in our lives, an expectation of exclusion that shapes how we see ourselves and our relationship with God.
Why Do We Feel Excluded?
When we’re left out, we naturally start analyzing ourselves. We think, “If I had been more like so-and-so, or if I had done this differently, maybe they would have included me.” We create mental checklists of what we need to change about ourselves to earn acceptance.
This same thinking creeps into our relationship with God. We develop assumptions about what we need to do, how we need to act, and who we need to become for God to love and accept us.
The Beauty of God’s Invitation
But here’s the revolutionary truth: God meets us where we are, not where we think we should be. The Christmas story completely dismantles our expectations about earning God’s acceptance and invites every single person into Christ’s story, regardless of background or how included they feel.
The Unexpected Recipients
Luke tells us that shepherds were the first to receive the announcement of Jesus’ birth. This detail might seem insignificant to us today, but in that culture, shepherds were complete social outcasts. They were considered thieves and crooks because they grazed their flocks on land that wasn’t theirs. The religious texts of the time stated that shepherds couldn’t even serve as witnesses because their testimony didn’t matter.
Yet God chose these forgotten people to be the first to hear about the Messiah’s birth. He chose the people no one would expect, the ones society overlooked and excluded.
The Unexpected Place
When you hear about the birth of a king, you expect palaces, temples, and royal ceremonies. Instead, the announcement came in a field at night to unseen people. God didn’t wait for the shepherds to find Him, He came looking for them in the quiet darkness where no one else was around.
The Unexpected Message
The angel’s message contained a phrase that connects all the Christmas stories: “Do not be afraid.” In the midst of their terror at this supernatural encounter, the angel brought good news—not just for Israel, but for all people.
This was radical. Israel had been waiting for good news, but they expected it to be exclusively for them, with bad news for their enemies. Instead, God’s good news was inclusive, reaching beyond boundaries and expectations.
What Does This Mean for Those Who Feel Forgotten?
Maybe you’re reading this feeling like an outcast. Perhaps you’re giving faith one last try because everywhere you’ve been, you’ve felt excluded and different. The shepherd story reveals that where you feel forgotten may be exactly where God wants to be found.
The Sign of Accessibility
The angel told the shepherds they would find the baby “wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” This wasn’t just practical information. It was deeply symbolic. A palace has guards and gates; you have to work your way in and earn access. But anyone can walk into a stable with a manger.
The manger says, “Come as you are. You are welcome. You belong.”
From Fear to Joy to Action
When God draws near, fear gives way to joy. The shepherds’ response shows us the natural progression of encountering Christ:
- They hurried to see – They immediately went to find Jesus
- They spread the word – They couldn’t help but tell others what they had experienced
- They returned glorifying God – They went back to their regular lives transformed
Why Does the Joy Fade?
New believers often have infectious enthusiasm about Jesus, but longtime Christians sometimes lose that initial excitement. This happens when we start feeling like we’ve earned our place in God’s kingdom or that we’ve become “good enough.”
The truth is, we need Jesus just as much today as we did when we first believed. We haven’t done anything to earn our way into His presence. We’re simply recipients of His grace.
The Good News for Everyone
The kingdom’s sign is humility and accessibility. You don’t have to fix anything before coming to Christ. You simply need to come humbly and surrender your life to Him.
The only difference between those who belong to Christ and those who don’t is that believers have recognized their need for Him. We all come to the manger with empty hands and humble hearts.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to remember that you are invited to God’s story exactly as you are. If you’ve been following Jesus for years, recapture the joy and wonder of your initial encounter with Him. Remember that you still need Him just as desperately as you did on day one.
If you feel like an outcast or are questioning whether you belong, know that God is actively pursuing you. He shows up in dark fields to forgotten people, and He’s willing to meet you wherever you are.
Questions for Reflection:
- Where in your life do you feel forgotten or excluded, and how might God want to meet you there?
- Have you lost the initial joy of following Jesus, and if so, what would it look like to recapture that wonder?
- How can you extend the same radical acceptance to others that God has shown you?
- What would change in your life if you truly believed that God’s invitation comes without prerequisites?