the irony of the Christmas story ~ the shepherds

I want to share two (2) thoughts with you that I find rather ironic, surprising if you will,  about the shepherds and the Christmas story.  I love God’s sense of humor. 

Did you know that Bethlehem was right ‘under the nose’ of King Herod?   I didn’t, until a few years ago. 

The Herodian, the largest fortress-palace of the ancient world was built on the highest point of the Judean Desert.  It literally looked down on Bethlehem.  The Herodian could be seen from anywhere in Bethlehem.  It would have been a rather formidable symbol of King Herod’s power hanging over the city.  It has been said that the shadow of the Herodian moves across Bethlehem as the sun sets. 

What do you think these the shepherds thought as they passed this palace of King Herod to find “the king” in a manger in a dirty cattle stall? 

I wonder if they were afraid? 

Afraid of Herod if he should find out.

The angels had certainly frightened them. 

I like to think they were so fill with excitement (and an adrenalin rush) that they didn’t have any fear of Herod that night. 

We do not know if Herod was in that palace that night, but I like to think that as Herod slept overlooking Bethlehem, the Savior of the world was being born below him. 

“The contrast between Herod and Jesus is nowhere clearer

than in the contrast between the fortress and the stable.

It reminds us that God uses weakness, lack of status,

and even things that appear foolish

to show that it is HIS strength that accomplishes His purpose.

Even though evil may be strong,

God has the ultimate power and authority.

The real power was found in the manger

Trust that power and you cannot fail.”

Ray Vander Laan  “That The World May Know”

The next thing that I find ironic about the shepherds is that they were in the place with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.  Yet in that culture they were considered ‘unclean’.  They would not have been allowed in the temple to worship God. 

They worked with animals.  They took care of sick animals, cared for their open sores, and sometimes handled dead carcasses of other animals.  Because of this they were ‘unclean’. 

And yet – here we see the shepherds rushing into town in all their excitement and going right up to the baby Jesus - the King of Kings. 

They wouldn’t have been allowed into the temple, but I like to think they were holding Jesus.  Touching Jesus.  The son of the God they were not allowed to go worship.  

I smile every time I think of that.  The lowest of the low are the ones that God chose to first hear the news of the birth of his son.  And yet - according to the religious of the day they were not fit to enter the temple. 

Do you know what that means? 

He came for the lowly

He came for the poor
He came for those that the "religious" of the day may not think are fit.

He came for everyone

Even the shepherds.

Jesus came for me!

Jesus came for you!

Friday I will share two (2) more thoughts about the Christmas story that I find ironic and surprising.