The Shepherds // Ordinary People, Extraordinary Story // December 6, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Shepherds model faithful obedience and witness.

The shepherds respond quickly to a startling invitation, leaving their ordinary work to go and see what God had done; their haste and testimony show that faithful obedience looks less like careful calculation and more like immediate trust and witness to others. They confirm the news, return glorifying and praising God, and their ordinary lives become the means by which the good news spreads. Their example calls the congregation to move from hearing to doing, to make room in life for God’s surprising invitations. [03:07]

Luke 2:6-20 (ESV)
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Reflection: When has a small, unexpected call prompted you to act quickly for God’s sake? Identify the next concrete step you will take this week to “go and see” where God is at work in your neighborhood or relationships.

Day 2: Hope for peace in God's renewed creation.

The prophetic image of predator and prey living together pictures God’s long-term intention for creation: a peace that reorders fear, hierarchy, and scarcity into flourishing for all. This vision calls the church to orient toward reconciliation and the flourishing of those pushed to the edges, trusting that God’s peace is not merely personal but social and communal. It reminds the congregation that Christmas points toward a future where even the most unlikely relationships are transformed by God’s justice. [00:31]

Isaiah 11:6 (ESV)
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.

Reflection: What relationship, prejudice, or social boundary in your life needs the kind of unlikely reconciling Isaiah imagines? Name one small, compassionate action you can take this week toward that reconciliation.

Day 3: Ask God to teach and guide daily.

The petition “Show us your ways; teach us your paths” invites ongoing dependence rather than occasional consultation, framing discipleship as daily learning and waiting on God. Living with hope “all day long” reshapes rhythms of work, rest, speech, and decision-making so that each choice can be an act of listening. The congregation is encouraged to practice habits that cultivate patience and openness to God’s guidance in ordinary moments. [03:44]

Psalm 25:4-5 (ESV)
Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day.

Reflection: Which daily habit most reveals whether you are waiting on God “all day long”? Choose one habit to reshape (prayer, silence, Scripture reading, or listening) and set a measurable time this week to practice it.

Day 4: Children valued; humility welcomed by Jesus.

Jesus’ rebuke of those who would keep children away shows that God’s kingdom honors vulnerability and lowliness rather than worldly status; welcome and humility are gospel virtues. The passage reframes who counts as important and models a posture of reception—receiving the kingdom like a child. The church is reminded to look for places where influence, appearance, or efficiency shut out the small and the marginalized, and to intentionally reverse that trend. [07:16]

Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Reflection: Who in your life is treated like “not important” by others—a child, newcomer, or overlooked person? How will you intentionally show them welcome and worth in a specific interaction this week?

Day 5: God raises humble shepherds to lead.

God’s choice of shepherds and of David from among the sheep teaches that leadership often comes from unexpected, ordinary places and that humility and care are qualifications for guiding God’s people. Being a shepherd involves practical skills—protecting, guiding, tending—but also a heart oriented toward the flock’s well-being rather than personal status. The church is invited to recognize and encourage ordinary people whose faithful service bears kingdom fruit. [10:51]

1 Samuel 16:11-13 (ESV)
And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.

Reflection: Where in your community could God be calling someone ordinary to lead? Consider your gifts: will you encourage someone you see, or take one small step toward leadership yourself? Identify one person you’ll encourage or one leader step you’ll take this month.

Sermon Summary

Advent is a season of waiting that teaches us to remember our shared story and to choose peace that seeks the flourishing of all creation. I set our hearts on Isaiah’s vision where wolves and lambs dwell together and where a child leads us. From there we entered Luke’s telling of the birth of Jesus and paid attention to the shepherds—people we often overlook because we assume they belong near a manger. But in the first century, shepherds were seen as sketchy, smelly, often young and without status. Angels could have gone to the palace, the temple, or Rome’s corridors of power. God chose the fields.

That choice is not random. God has a long history of meeting shepherds: Abraham with flocks, Moses learning wilderness leadership among goats and sheep, David honing courage and care with a sling before he ever wore a crown. Shepherding is training in group care—gathering, guiding, protecting, staying close. Our faith is not a solitary “me-and-God” path; it is a communal journey that needs people who will keep us together and move us toward God.

I contrasted that with our age of influence—numbers, likes, and platform. If God wanted reach, God could have gone to the influencers of the day. Instead, God started with those who had no platform. That tells us something about the kind of power God trusts: humble, watchful, and willing to serve. It also raises a hard question from Israel’s past: if Egypt had wealth, order, and military might, why didn’t God begin there? Because God consistently centers the ones the world sidelines, and in the birth of Jesus, the spotlight falls on the shepherds. Luke spends one sentence on the birth and many on the angelic encounter, as if to say: watch where God is looking.

The shepherds didn’t just hear; they went. They made space in their night shift to go see, then returned praising and telling. In this Advent, that is our invitation too: to make room, to go and see Jesus in the faces around us, and to tell good news that brings peace, joy, and hope to all. Even our global partnerships—like helping pastors in Bolivia travel to their congregations—are ways we join this shepherd-road of ordinary obedience that God uses to bless many.

Key Takeaways

1. God starts with the overlooked God bypasses palaces and platforms to begin with shepherds who carried little status. This is not sentimental; it’s strategic. The gospel grows best in soil that is humble, hungry, and attentive. If we want to meet God, we should move toward the margins where God is already at work. [14:54]
2. Shepherding trains leaders for community Moses and David learned courage, patience, and care by tending stubborn flocks, skills later used to guide people. The Christian life is a shared life; it requires those who will gather, protect, and keep us moving together. Ask where God might be forming you to carry others, not just yourself. [10:51]
3. Obedience opens space for wonder The shepherds didn’t debate; they went, made room in their night, and then shared what they saw. Revelation becomes transformation when we take a step in its direction. Make space this Advent—interrupt your routine—and watch how joy grows when you move toward what God reveals. [16:22]
4. Advent peace seeks everyone’s flourishing Peace is not a quiet feeling; it’s equity, justice, and harmony for all creation. Isaiah’s vision and the angels’ announcement push us beyond private comfort to public good. Seek the well-being of neighbors and enemies alike, and you will find yourself in the light God is kindling. [00:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
Luke 2:1–20
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 AndJoseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lordappeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said tothem, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David aSavior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of theheavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over toBethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Maryand Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard itwondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Observation questions (3–4)

What details does Luke give about where the shepherds were and how the angels appeared to them? [02:22]
What did the angel tell the shepherds about who the good news was for, and what sign did the angel give them to find the child? [02:39]
After the angels left, how did the shepherds respond, and what happened when they returned home? [03:07]
Notice the relative space Luke gives to the birth versus the angelic encounter. What does Luke emphasize by spending so much narrative on the shepherds and angels? [14:54]

Interpretation questions (3–4)

What does God’s choice to reveal the birth to shepherds instead of to the powerful suggest about the character of God’s kingdom and its priorities? [12:45]
In what ways do the skills formed by shepherding—gathering, guiding, protecting—translate into abilities needed for leading and sustaining a community of faith? [10:51]
What is implied about the nature of revelation if hearing the angels’ message led the shepherds to interrupt their night shift and go see without delay? [16:22]
How does pairing Isaiah’s vision of predator and prey living together with Luke’s announcement change the meaning of “peace” for the community—personal calm or public flourishing (or both)? [00:31]

Application questions (4–7)

God begins with the overlooked. Where in your daily routes or relationships are people being overlooked, and what one concrete step can you take this week to move toward them? [14:54]
Shepherding trains leaders for community. Who in your sphere needs someone to gather, guide, or protect them right now, and how might you begin offering that care in a practical way this Advent? (name a person and one first action) [10:51]
Obedience opens space for wonder. What routine or schedule can you interrupt this week to “go and see” — physically visit, call, or serve someone — and when exactly will you do it? [16:22]
Advent peace seeks everyone’s flourishing. Identify one local need or justice concern you can learn about or act on this month; what concrete first step will you take (read, meet someone, volunteer, give, write)? [00:31]
The shepherds returned praising and telling. Who will you intentionally tell about the good news you see this season, and by what means (visit, invite, note, social message) will you share it? [03:07]
Humble, watchful service is trusted by God. What small, hidden act of service could you commit to for the next four weeks that would witness to Christ’s presence to someone who is marginalized? [11:31]

Sermon Clips

The Christmas story of Jesus' birth. It's a big story. It's an interesting story. It's told a little differently in each of the Gospels. And there's one Gospel that doesn't even include the story at all. That would be Mark. And it is a story that has changed the world. The coming of Jesus changed a lot of things for a lot of people. And the course of history went in a new direction. We gather every year to tell this story and to listen for God's message for us today. [00:03:52] (39 seconds) #ChristmasChangedHistory

They also work weird hours. These are 24-7 workers. You know, the sheep always need care. Someone's always got to be looking out for them. Sheep are not very smart. Sheep are very stubborn. It is very easy for them to wander off. It is very easy for them to get eaten by a lion, a tiger,some wild animal that is hungry. So, of all of the people the angels could have gone to that lived and worked in the Bethlehem area, shepherds would not have been at the top of any list that we would put together. [00:07:22] (40 seconds) #ShepherdsAlwaysOnCall

And one of the things that the study that we're doing pointed out is that Egypt was the most powerful empire in the world at the time. It had water. It had lots of food. It had a sophisticated administrative structure. It had a strong army. It had people who knew how to get things done. Why were the Egyptians not God's chosen people? Why did God go with a scrappy group of nomadic sheep herders to be his chosen people? [00:13:46] (36 seconds) #GodChoosesTheHumble

I mean, look at this story of the shepherd. There's one sentence about Jesus' birth. He's wrapped in swaddling clothes. And then there's sentences and sentences about the angels talking to the shepherds. God focuses on people who are on the edges, according to the world. People who need God, who depend on God. God is showing us that God sees and hears everyone, even those who are ignored by the world. [00:14:53] (33 seconds) #GodSeesTheIgnored

As we think about what the angels said to the shepherds,they have a message of good news for all people. It's for all of God's people. It's for people who aren't considered God's chosen people. Next week, we'll be talking about the magi, these three wise men from another country, another language, another religion. And those are also God's people. The story of Jesus' birth at Christmas is always surprising us with who shows up in the story. [00:15:28] (38 seconds) #GoodNewsForAll

who are the people like ourselves who need to hear that there is a God who sees and hears them and most of all loves them. Are we willing to listen to this message in a new way this year? Are we willing to make space in our lives to respond to God's message? Who are we going to tell? Where are we going to go? Just as the shepherds did. Who needs to hear what God has to say this year? [00:16:50] (34 seconds) #TellTheOverlooked

Are we willing to listen to this message in a new way this year? Are we willing to make space in our lives to respond to God's message? Who are we going to tell? Where are we going to go? Just as the shepherds did. Who needs to hear what God has to say this year? As we continue our waiting for Jesus to come again, I think it's time for us to go and see Jesus. [00:17:00] (35 seconds) #MakeSpaceTellOthers

As we continue our waiting for Jesus to come again, I think it's time for us to go and see Jesus. See Jesus in the faces of the people in our community and share the good news of a God who loves us and gives us the gift of peace and joy and hope to all the world. Who are we going to go tell this year? [00:17:23] (28 seconds) #GoSeeShareHope

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Why did angels choose shepherds over elites?

How does shepherding prepare leaders for God’s people?

What does Advent peace demand from communities today?