Heroes of Christmas: The Shepherds
In this series, the Heroes of Christmas, we’re looking a little closer at some of the people who are sometimes overlooked or misunderstood, showing why they matter for our proper understanding of the Christmas story.
When you think of Christmas hymns, chances are one of the first that comes to mind mentions the shepherds. These seemingly ordinary men are iconic in the Christmas story. Their inclusion might leave us wondering, “Why did God choose shepherds to receive such monumental news as the birth of the Messiah?” After all, shepherds held humble, often-overlooked jobs that left them both outwardly dirty and ceremonially unclean.
Despite this, God chose to send his angels to appear to them first. There are three ways the shepherds’ role in the Gospel of Luke can help us form a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas: the redemption of the world.
Grace Given to the Humble
Shepherds were by our culture’s standards, “blue collar” workers – humble, hardworking, and often overlooked. From Passover until autumn, they stayed with their flocks in the open fields, constantly tending to them. Sleeping on the dirty ground meant wearing dirty clothes. This was their livelihood, but what else could they do? Even when shepherds had a break, they were often unwelcome in local communities due to their less- less-than-glamorous work.
God has a history of using shepherds to share the good news of redemption with His people. When God chose Moses to lead the Israelites, he was a shepherd in the Midianite desert. When God chose David to be king, he was a shepherd boy. R.C. Sproul observes, “in the prophets we find Amos, not a man of great stature, but a shepherd, whom God called into service for himself. Many prominent people in biblical history were called by God from the realm of the culturally insignificant, to be his servants.”
In the Gospel of Luke, we see this pattern continued when an angel of the Lord announced the good news of the Messiah’s birth to shepherds. The angels appeared before the shepherds bursting with song, declaring the good news that God had sent his Son to the Earth to redeem mankind. He would be the one to bring peace on earth, and ironically, these shepherds would be some of the first to meet Him.
One reason I believe God chose the shepherds to hear this good news first was because this kind of message was only to be received by those who would humble themselves, repent of their sin, and follow Christ. These shepherds heard God’s message of deliverance, a core tenet of the gospel. Both their low stature and their humble response are meant to highlight that where others may have seen simplicity, God saw opportunity. God honors those who are not “worthy” of His grace by offering it to them. Faith is a response of the meek, and we see that in the story with what the shepherds do next.
Grace Received with Great Joy
The shepherds didn’t seem to hesitate upon hearing the angels’ proclamation. “When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us’ (Luke 2:15)”. They didn’t wait until morning to organize a rotation of shepherds or leave their flocks behind. Most likely, they took their sheep with them and embarked on the journey to find Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. This decision wouldn’t have been easy or convenient, as navigating at night with their flocks in tow would have been challenging. The simplest thing to do would have been to wait for daylight to ensure a clearer path. Yet, Luke’s account emphasizes their urgency.
Luke specifically uses the phrase “went quickly,” highlighting their eager and obedient response to the good news of redemption. Their response wasn’t passive curiosity—it was an active, joy-filled pursuit of God’s promise. They weren’t content merely to hear about the Savior; they were compelled to witness the fulfillment of God’s promises for themselves. This response demonstrates what a heart transformed by the good news of salvation looks like—a faith that moves beyond mere words into action and a desire to experience God’s presence personally. The shepherds' faithfulness serves as an example for all believers, showing how we, too, should respond when presented with the hope and joy of Christ.
Grace Shared with Others
The shepherds acted as the first evangelists, sharing the news of the angelic visitation and the birth of the Anointed One with those around them. Sproul goes on to say, “Their testimony…was valued by God. He entrusted to them the first human proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They heard the gospel; they came to Christ; they saw, believed, and proclaimed. ‘And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them’” (Luke 2:18).
They played a greater role in God’s redemptive plan, as they echoed the angels’ declaration that this good news was for "all the people" (Luke 2:10). This element highlights the path that the good news leads us onto: from hearing, to believing, to sharing. They were not passive recipients of the announcement; they were instrumental in relaying the message wherever they went. Their example encourages all believers to boldly share the Gospel, trusting that God works through the faithful witness of all who believe.
A Brief Reflection on the Shepherds as “Heroes” of Christmas
The shepherds exemplify what faithfulness to God can bring: presence, promises, and purpose. For them, it wasn’t about fame or fortune, something they could use for their own benefit. They didn’t sell the story to become wealthy; they just responded to the good news. They went to visit the Messiah, experienced the comfort of His presence, and believed the promise that one day He would save the world. Then, they embraced a new purpose that took this good news to others, that they might also know what they had experienced.
I believe this progression reflects the journey of sanctification for all believers. We hear the Gospel for the first time and respond with humility and obedience, saying “yes” to God. As we follow Him, we experience the transformative presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, growing in the assurance of His power to save. That assurance then compels us to share what we’ve experienced, just as the shepherds “spread the word concerning what had been told them” (Luke 2:17).
For youth leaders, the shepherds teach us a crucial yet simple truth: hearing the Gospel leads to a response of faith, and that faith leads to sharing. We don’t need titles, platforms, or recognition to take part in this mission, and we shouldn’t doubt God’s ability to use people like us. All it requires is a heart transformed by the Gospel and a willingness to proclaim this truth to a world in need. Let’s remind ourselves this Christmas why that is such good news.