And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭8-12‬ NIV

The story of God’s love is for everyone. So much so, that the first announcement of the birth of the King of Kings is not to the lofty and the privileged, but to a few lowly shepherds who were working the night shift, watching their sheep.

Shepherds were outcasts. They stank. They were ritually unclean. They were poor and uneducated. They were not welcomed by society at large.

And yet, it is to these men that Heaven breaks forth with good news of great joy. You might ask why – why would God announce such an important event to such humble men? The answer is love. Love that is so steadfast, so powerful, so boundless that it reaches out and elevates the lowest.

God’s love is for everyone. For those we wish we could ignore, for those we love, for those we will never know.

This Advent, may you find your life elevated by the boundless, powerful, steadfast love of God. May you be filled to overflowing with that love, so that it reaches out and through you, elevated the lives of those around you.