The Shepherds and the Wise Men

The last characters in the Christmas story I want to notice are the shepherds and the wise men. These two groups of people were groups that were not directly linked to Mary or Joseph in any way, and yet God chose to involve them in this most holy occasion. As I think of the shepherds I can't help but wonder if perhaps God did not include them in this story in order to make it very clear that His plan for salvation includes everyone, even the most humble people. The shepherds were unassuming people who would not have had any idea of what God had in store for them that Christmas night, nor would they have any expectation of being directly involved in the coming of the Messiah. They were merely out on a hillside doing their job, never thinking that their lives would be changed in a single night. Yet, when the heavenly host appeared to them and informed them that the Saviour of the world was born in the city near them their response was so perfect, so completely in line with what it should have been. They promptly went to find the child and then they spread the news of his birth to everyone they came in contact with. These poor, uneducated men knew how to respond to this heavenly news, this most awesome event, and yet I wonder how many of us would respond as well. We think so highly of our educational, technological, and economical advances that we lose sight many times of the more important things in life, things such as finding our Savior and spreading the good news of His arrival to those we know. Perhaps that is why God chose to use the shepherds that night to herald the glad tidings of His Son's arrival to earth.
Then we have the wise men. These were wealthy, well-learned men. Men of science, not prone to making foolish decisions, men very much respected and revered for their intelligence and station in life. Why would God use them to play a part in His Son's birth? In looking at these sages, these wise men, I see how God showed Himself as transcending all social boundaries and classes to make known His plan of redemption. These men who had wealth and intelligence left their homes, traveled a great distance, and endured many hardships including threats on their lives to not only find this baby born in Bethlehem but to worship Him as well. If these men could do all that, not having any personal knowledge of this child, but just information, how much more can I, who has personal knowledge and experience of the Savior, endure any hardship to find the Savior and give Him the worship He so deserves? The question is will I, and if I start will I continue to do so?
All these characters played a part in God's amazing Christmas story. They are all different, from different backgrounds, different social settings, and different mind sets, but they all had one thing in common: they obeyed the voice of God and they were blessed to be a part of the birth of the Messiah. In looking at all these different characters I can also see how God uses people from every walk of life to be a part of His unfolding plans here on Earth. He uses the most humble people to remind us that we are never too lowly to be a part of His plans and He uses the more elevated people to remind us that we are never too good to bow the knee to Him. The only thing that really matters to God is whether or not we are willing to be obedient, willing to lay everything down in exchange for the great and glorious things He has for us, and most of all willing to welcome Him into our world, whatever that may be.
Happy Birthday, Jesus! You are more than welcome into this world of mine.
Merry Christmas!