Read: Luke 2:8-20
God picks the most unique people.
Think about it, when Jesus shows up, does he go to speak with kings and rulers like Caesar? No, He gathers twelve very common men and speaks to predominantly illiterate people who eventually turn on Him. The thousands that followed Him early on are shouting ‘crucify him.’ The first people to see Him rise from the dead are three women (at a time when women’s testimony wasn’t admitted in court).
God consistently goes after societal rejects.
This penchant for the lowest of the low continues in selecting shepherds to see His Son’s birth. Back then, shepherds were a little yucky. They spent months outside with smelly sheep, didn’t bathe too much, and probably enjoyed a little too much to drink. Shepherds suffered the same prejudice as women in court – their testimony was inadmissible.
This is what it means when we say God chooses the weirdest people.
At his birth and at His resurrection, God goes after the very people the rest of the world rejects.
Why?
Why the Jews? Why a teenage girl? Why sorcerers? Why shepherds?
Because apparently, God likes the people who are so over themselves that they readily admit they need Him. That is a subtle, but major point – God seems to gravitate toward people who know they’re messed up. James says it well, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Hey, chances are there are people in your life that need to know this. They are still busy trying to get their stuff together. No need.
God draws close to those who are humble.
A good reminder in the age of Instagram and TikTok and all those professionally photographed family portraits (they are all as annoyed with each other as your family is) – God roots for those who don’t look good on Instagram.
If you need this, believe it.
If you already know it, send this to someone and invite them to join you for a Christmas Eve gathering.