Shepherds were an appropriate choice

December 25, 2005 -- Christmas

By Fr. Michael Stubbs

	Fr. Mike Stubbs

When I see the trash collectors making their rounds in this freezing weather, I reflect on what a hard job they have. And yet, they don't earn a huge amount of money. Their job does not carry with it a lot of glamour or prestige. At the same time, where would we be without them?

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At the time of Jesus, the occupation of shepherd was similar. It was low-paying, manual labor. Yet in the gospel of Luke, an angel appears to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem, to announce Jesus' birth. "The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.'"

Why the shepherds, rather than the village elders or the rabbi? Luke's gospel places a special emphasis upon the poor. The angel's appearance to the shepherds fits in with that emphasis. Not only are the shepherds privileged to be the first to hear about the Messiah's birth, they also take on the responsibility of sharing that good news.

"When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child." The relatively low status accorded the shepherds by society turns to one of great importance in God's plan of salvation.

We should also remember that only the gospel of Luke mentions the poor accommodations for Jesus at the time of his birth. "She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." This description of Joseph and Mary as homeless people also fits in with the emphasis upon the poor.

The role of the shepherds in Jesus' birth reminds us of the special place that the poor hold in God's plan. And yet, the meaning of the shepherds extends beyond that. After all, Luke's gospel twice points out the connection between Bethlehem and David, calling it the city of David. Jesus, born in Bethlehem, is a descendent of David. And David was a shepherd before he became a king:

"Then Samuel asked Jesse, 'Are these all the sons you have?' Jesse replied, 'There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.' 'Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.' Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, 'There- anoint him, for this is he!' Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David." (1 Samuel 16:11-13)

Jesus, born in Bethlehem, the city of David, will resemble David insofar as he also will be called the Messiah, literally "the Anointed One." Like David, Jesus also will become a shepherd, the Good Shepherd. It is altogether appropriate that the shepherds tending their sheep in the fields be the first to welcome Jesus.

(Fr. Stubbs, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, has a master's degree in theology from Harvard.)