Simple and Smelly

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.”
 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 
Luke 2:8-18

Last night while doing our advent book with Little A, they talked about how the shepherds were just normal guys. They weren't doing anything special. They didn't have to do much of anything to have their lives changed by the Lord.  

The angel came to the field where they were to tell them the news. All they had to do in return was make the choice to go into town and find the baby. 

Their lives would have been changed by what they saw. They probably weren't that amazed by the sight of a baby, a mom who just pushed out a baby, or the mess in the stable. What blew their minds would have been the sight of the angels and that God allowed them to get the first viewing of the baby that would be their Messiah. 

They were nothing special (and probably smelled really horrible).  Did nothing special. But they were chosen to see the most special thing that has ever happened.  The thing that had been foretold for so long. This miracle that would save lives. 

Without His birth there would be no death and resurrection. And without the death and resurrection we would never be able to spend eternity with the Father.  

He came to save the sinners. He came for the simple and the plain.  We don't have to be or do anything more than make the choice to follow, to trust, to believe.

Thank God! Cause I know I could never be good enough on my own.  I could never be sinless, blameless and pure. Jesus did it for us, lived blameless for us, and died for us. He was God's perfect son sent to live out God's perfect plan to bring us to Him. 

May you be overwhelmed today, with the knowledge that we are nothing special. We are not amazing or spectacular. We are just simple and living out our regular lives. 

But may God also overwhelm you today with His love and an understanding that He makes our simple into His spectacular. He uses us for His glory. If we are willing to follow, trust, and believe. 

God Bless.  
A