Let’s put ourselves in Mary’s shoes. She has just traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a two- week journey. This is not a journey she was unaccustomed to; it is the route she has traveled many times when they would come to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. But, this time, she is nine months pregnant! When they arrived in Bethlehem, there were so many people that all of Joseph’s relatives had run out of space, and she had to give birth to Jesus in the sheep pen where the animals were kept. Some nine months ago, an angel came to her and to Joseph telling them all about God’s plans.

Honestly, those plans were overwhelming and scary. But, the joy she has felt along the way, and now he’s finally here. But, here isn’t what or where she expected. And to top it all off, they showed up. She must have thought there was some But And the shepherds returned, confusion at first, had they come to get the sheep from the pen? There were no sheep to be had. See, these shepherds weren’t exactly known to be upright citizens, and they aren’t who you would expect to show up first for the birth of the Savior. But, then they began telling her what had happened in the field that night, the angel, his instructions, and now here they are, and they have found the child! It should surprise her, but with everything she’s been through and how she has watched God work, it doesn’t. Instead, it fills her with joy.