The Gospels show that God chose to announce Jesus’ birth to humble shepherds rather than kings to reveal that His kingdom is not built on earthly power but on grace to the lowly. Luke alone records this event, saying:
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.” (Luke 2:8–9)
The angel then gave the announcement:
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
The sign given to them was not of splendor, but of humility:
“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)
Luke shows that the good news of the Savior first came to ordinary men working in the fields, reminding us that God’s salvation is for all, not just the great and powerful. Matthew, while not mentioning the shepherds, balances this by recording the visit of the wise men from the east (Matthew 2:1–2), showing that both the lowly and the learned are called to worship Christ. Mark begins his Gospel with John the Baptist preaching to the common people, reinforcing the same truth that God’s work starts among the humble. John, in his own way, teaches that Jesus came to the world not to exalt the mighty but to bring life to all who believe:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)
Together, the Gospels reveal that God announced Christ’s birth to shepherds to show that His salvation is offered first to the humble, that His kingdom is not of this world, and that the true King was born to bring peace and joy to all people.
