A continual theme throughout Scripture is that God uses unlikely people for extraordinary purposes. This is one of the lessons learned from the story of “The Shepherds and the Angels” in Luke 2. Even though we hear it every year at Christmas, we often fail to understand how strange it was for God to use shepherds to report the good news of Jesus' birth to others. According to R.C. Sproul,

“Shepherds were a despised class because their work prevented them from keeping the ceremonial law, and as they moved about the country it was common for them to be regarded as thieves. They were considered unreliable and were not allowed to give evidence in the courts” (1457).

These shepherds were not the only unlikely witnesses chosen during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors etc. were also used by God to be witnesses of Christ. This undeserved treatment was criticized by the self righteous scribes of the Pharisees who said, "Why does (Jesus) eat with tax collectors and sinners?" to which Jesus responded, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17).

This theme of God using unlikely people is also true today because God expects all believers to represent Him to the world. Paul tells Christians in Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God.” This Christmas, may you be reminded and humbled by the fact that God uses unlikely people like you and me to represent Him. May we also not fail to share with others the importance message of God taking on flesh, dwelling among us and accomplishing our salvation.

Sproul, R.C. The Reformation Study Bible. Orlando: Ligonier Ministries. 2005. 1457.