Mark spoke from Luke 2:1-20 at the family service on the subject of shepherds. Shepherds were just ordinary people, often not regarded highly – perhaps the equivalent would be someone working on a late night shift for the minimum wage today. Yet these were the people to whom angels spoke, inviting them to visit the Saviour born in a stable.
We might ask why God chose a stable for the birthplace of His Son, rather than a palace. Certainly, a stable and a manger (a feeding trough for animals) were not the ideal place for the birth of a baby, but this choice makes it very plain that Jesus was sent to all people, for He was born without special privileges. Similarly, by announcing the birth of His Son to shepherds, God showed that He is interested in all people. The wise men may have had precious gifts to bring to Jesus, but the shepherds had nothing. They demonstrate that God wants everyone to know His good news and reveals His glory to insignificant people. What matters is willingness, which outweighs wisdom.
1 Cor 1:26-29 reminds us that God chooses the weak and the foolish so that He alone gets the glory. He calls ordinary people who have nothing to give and uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That’s hugely encouraging for us!