When something important happens, who’s usually the first to find out? The most important people! Maybe you can remember seeing the picture of President Bush receiving the first news of the terror attacks on 9/11. Or think of a star quarterback receiving the final play of the game straight from his coach. There are certain important people who need to know, and that list usually doesn’t include us.
So when the most important event in the history of the world took place – when Jesus our Savior was born – who was the first to find out? “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night…” (Luke 2:8). The first to find out about Jesus’ birth were … shepherds? Really? No offense, but farmers aren’t usually at the top of lists of VIPs. Why would God send his angels to tell them first?
Because Jesus was born to save them. In God’s kingdom, those shepherds were very important people, just like every single soul is important to God. If he had sent his angels to the king, we would be tempted to think that maybe this Baby was just born for kings. Instead, he sent his angels to shepherds, so that we can be sure that this Baby is born for us too. The shepherds were on God’s “Very Important People” list. God wanted them to know that “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Do you know who else is included among those very important people? You! God wants you to be able to hear again how Jesus was born to save you, because you are a very important person to God – so important that Jesus was willing to live and die for you. I hope you’ll be able to attend worship a lot for the next week to hear the news that Jesus was born for you.
Upside-Down Savior 