God Loves Even The “Wretched Refuse”!

Luke’s account of Christ’s birth is pregnant with theology. It emphasizes our Lord’s saving mission, but it also emphasizes God’s concern for the marginalized. When God “shows up” (that is, when He acts in unmistakeable ways), His actions are often not what humans would expect.

As an exercise, trace the occurrence of the word “amen” in Scripture. The word basically carries the idea of “so be it” or “let it be so.” When God is the Subject of the decree, very often what He decrees is counter-intuitive. So much so that we might translate the word as “Surprise!!”

Luke does not use the word “Amen” here, but it certainly echoes in the background. We would surely expect the angelic announcement of the birth of the world’s Savior to come first to the religious elite, perhaps the high priest or a high-ranking political official–maybe even the emperor. But God chose to reveal this announcement to low-class, despised, no-named shepherds. This is yet another illustration of Luke’s lessons on pride and discrimination. God delights in honoring those who have a humble spirit. Paul put it this way: Think of yourselves with sober judgment (Romans 12:3).

May God help us to think of ourselves with sober judgment as we seek to honor those that many have pushed aside as of less value or importance than the “in-crowd.”