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 of great joy that will be for all the people.’

That God confounds the wise and learned with the humble and lowly is amply demonstrated in Scripture. As his Son entered the world, those in royal robes and festive banquet halls were not the first to receive the news. The angel announced the birth of Christ to the least of Israelite society—to dirty shepherds sleeping in the fields with their sheep. Those same shepherds went to see the Christ child and were the first to spread the news of his birth in their circles.

It reminds us God reveals himself to those afflicted, those lowly, and those whose hearts have been prepared to hear the Good News.