Luke 2:8-9 “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.

Luke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:15 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.”

Luke 2:16-19 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Bad News 1. They were religious outcasts. 2. They were borderline social outcasts.

Bad News 2. They were borderline social outcasts. 3. They didn’t come home at night.

Bad News 3. They didn’t come home at night. 4. A shepherd was lonely, weary, and very bored, and available.

2 Samuel 22:28 “You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

Psalm 149:4 “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.”

Isaiah 66:1-2 “This is what the LORD says: . . . "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”

Matthew 23:12 “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

1 Corinthians 1:28-29 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Good News 1. This is good news if you are on the outside looking in. 2. This is good news if you are on the fringes.

Good News 2. This is good news if you are on the fringes. 3. This is good news if you think you’re unimportant.

Good News 3. This is good news if you think you’re unimportant. 4. You know you are where you need to be when your story matters.