On this day, we light the third Advent candle called the Shepherd’s Candle. Immediately after Jesus’ birth, angels were sent to tell the shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem about His arrival.
Why is this significant? There are many who believe that although shepherds provided a needed service, they were looked down upon. They lived in the rough, filthy, smelly world of caring for animals. If you’ve ever been around farm animals, or even a zoo, you know what I mean. Sometimes, after working with animals, it’s hard to get yourself clean enough to be in polite company. It’s also possible they weren’t ceremonially clean, since they might have to deal with a dead animal.
If this is correct, then God sent the angels to tell people who were on the bottom rung of the social ladder, and maybe even the spiritual ladder. He came down to us in humble circumstances and calls even the humblest of us. He brings His good news of redemption and reconciliation to all of us, whatever our circumstances. We don’t have to be clean, or smart, or successful, or good to come to Him– He comes to us right where we are. We can’t do this for ourselves (which is why He came in the first place). Realizing our inadequacy points out just how much we need Him. If we respond to Him in faith, He’ll take care of cleaning us up and making us right with Him. And like the shepherds, we’ll walk away from the encounter giving glory to God and praising Him for what He’s done for us.