Shepherds were rugged, roving men. They were frequently transferring their flocks to where fresh fields of fodder could be found. Where there was no meadow remaining they became nomadic. They had to pass to greener grass. Because they were nomadic they often found and kept things that were not their own. They had a reputation for theft.

Because they were men of the open air and open fields on twenty-four hour watch they of necessity failed in their religious observance. They were looked down upon by society and especially by religious folk who can have a tendency to look down on others, and so often harbour the hardest hearts in humanity.

But there is a divine bias towards shepherding. God describes himself as Israel's shepherd (Isaiah 40: 9-11). David, the lowly shepherd boy, owned the Lord as his shepherd (Psalm 23). The Lord Jesus designated himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10: 11-16). To be a shepherd turns out to be a very honourable vocation in God's sight. There is scarcely any other image of divine care that surpasses it.

Ministers are called pastors because they provide food and protection for God's people from the pastures of the Lord's Word. Nourishing and guiding Christ's flock from the Word is the minister's principal undertaking. Much else that is expected these days is simply pacing the perimeter of the paddock.

Shepherds were despised and sometimes that contempt was well deserved. The arrival of shepherds aroused suspicion. They were not on every community's "A list" at all. But when the Saviour was born these lowly, unloved men were the first to hear.

How God reverses human expectations - often born of 'Austen's Affliction' - pride and prejudice.

These shepherds did not see a red sky at morning but a radiant sky without warning (v9). They were introduced to a view of the Saviour's glory revealed by his angelic companions (Hebrews 1:6). These hardy, physically heroic men were terrified when heaven burst into song above them. But the communication of God was kind: But the angel of God said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you news of great joy that will be for all the people" (v10). And the angel of annunciation was joined by a joyous throng (vv 13-14).

The grandeur of the august occasion was a mission of grace. The Saviour had come to the poor, lowly, and despised - self-admitted sinners who could not deny the verdict of conscience and divine conviction. His favour rested upon those whom he chose - not the self-righteous who counted themselves worthy, but those who mourned their sin and ached at its accusations.

The shepherds heard the gospel in a remarkable way and beyond this went to see the One the gospel is all about. God ushers the undeserving into his greatest privileges:

The sound of the saving truth of his Word.

The sight of his Son who saves us.

We are called, as were the shepherds, to see and spread the truth of the Saviour.

Soon the angels had withdrawn but there must have been a certain amount of conversation between the parents of the Babe of Bethlehem and the shepherds. Their visit was not a silent tableau. The scene was alive and electrifying. The response of the shepherds was ecstatic. Field and stable must have made their hearts beat with sheer wonder and excitement. Feelings were deep. There was joy with Mary and Joseph and then celebration and praise back in the pastures.

This wondrous night was the shepherds' delight.

Who remembered all of this and related it to Luke to record? Perhaps a crowd of witnesses, aged shepherds themselves and elderly locals who remembered their story. Principally it must have been Mary, at least partially, and at the centre of combined testimony. Mary treasured and pondered all these things and kept them in her heart. One day we will be astounded at the varied and numerous contributions to the compilation of eye-witness testimony collected in the New Testament and sceptics will be confounded at their dulled imagination and wasted critical careers. Sometimes their speculation and reservations are leaden and lacking in literary insight and likely possibilities. Shepherds can outwit scholars if God so decides.

The shepherds' divinely enabled discovery was stupendous - God has given us the gift of his precious Son. Mary gave us her memories for us to treasure and ponder. Luke drew his narrative of the nativity from Mary's mental journal. And so we shall ponder always with Christmas wonderment and gratitude unbounded.

And we shall share in the shepherds' delight.

*****

The following is a poem written by the Rev. Roger Salter

MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS

Sometimes when I come before you, O Lord,
I am most aware
that my thoughts are not your thoughts.

Sometimes when I come before you, O Lord,
to incline my heart to prayer
I discover that my thoughts are not your thoughts.

Sometimes when I open your Word, O Lord,
My devotions to prepare
I perceive that my thoughts are not your thoughts.

Sometimes when I am anxious before you, O Lord,
encumbered with care
I sense my thoughts are not your thoughts.

When I complain of others before you, O Lord,
in judgement unfair
I grieve that my thoughts are not your thoughts.

I all too frequently think awry, O Lord,
grant me the mind of Christ.

The Rev. Roger Salter is an ordained Church of England minister where he had parishes in the dioceses of Bristol and Portsmouth before coming to Birmingham, Alabama to serve as Rector of St. Matthew's Anglican Church