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b'READ: GENESIS 4:2-5; EXODUS 3:1-4; 1 SAMUEL 16:11-13; LUKE 2:8-20\\n\\n\\n\\nShepherds couldn\\u2019t even testify in a court of law. That\\u2019s how much people looked down on us. They assumed we were liars. I hated that. Not to mention we were too dirty and \\u201cunclean\\u201d to enter the temple because we cared for animals, dealing with their manure and blood. But even worse was how people avoided me. They seemed to forget everyone needed lambs for the temple sacrifices. And sheep need to be led and protected. They sometimes do incredibly stupid things.\\n\\n\\n\\nWhenever I complained, my older brother reminded me of our ancestors. \\u201cRemember Abel and Moses? They kept sheep. So did Jacob. And David was a shepherd before he was king.\\u201d Try telling that to the townspeople who held their noses when I passed by!\\n\\n\\n\\nThen one night, everything changed. We were out in the fields tending our flocks when suddenly a bright light split open the night sky. I froze. Some of the other shepherds fell to the ground in fear. My brother trembled as he drew me close. \\u201cAn angel,\\u201d he whispered.\\n\\n\\n\\nThen the angel spoke: \\u201cDon\\u2019t be afraid!\\u201d How was that even possible? My knees couldn\\u2019t stop shaking. \\u201cI bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.\\u201d All people? Even shepherds? Even me? Suddenly, a whole multitude of angels appeared. They were singing, \\u201cGlory to God in highest heaven.\\u201d Then the angels disappeared as quickly as they\\u2019d come. But they\\u2019d given us instructions. Where to go. What to look for.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u201cHurry!\\u201d my brother took hold of my arm. \\u201cWe\\u2019ve got to go to Bethlehem.\\u201d I protested, \\u201cBut what about the sheep? Won\\u2019t they be in danger?\\u201d He shook his head. \\u201cIf God tells us to go, we need to go. He can protect our sheep until we get back. The Messiah is here!\\u201d \\u2022 Carol Raj\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 This story is how one author imagines what it might\\u2019ve been like for the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. Jesus, the Savior of the world and bringer of peace, came for all people\\u2014including those society casts out. What can this Bible passage reveal about who God is and how He sees us?\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 Like the shepherds might\\u2019ve worried about leaving the sheep, we can often fall into believing our responsibilities matter more than resting in the good news of Jesus\\u2019s love and forgiveness that He\\u2019s given us through His death and resurrection. God gives us opportunities to experience His vast love for us, but we\\u2019re often tempted to prioritize other things. What might those things be for you? Consider taking a moment to pray about whatever comes to mind. You can rely on the Holy Spirit to help you surrender all these things to God and receive what He has for you.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u201cGlory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.\\u201d Luke 2:14 (NLT)'