Luke 2:8-20, There Were Shepherds Camping In the Neighborhood.

Earl Palmer, our pastor when we lived in Seattle one time referred to the shepherds as, not just lowly shepherds, but the “Night Shift Shepherds.”

I know something about the night shift, and I know something about people camping in the neighborhood. I know both by fact and by perception: The facts are more significant than the perception, more meaningful. I believe the facts in this scripture from Luke also tell the true nature of the night shift shepherds.

The night shift at Morse Steel works when most people are not around; the office is empty and most of the supervisors are gone for the day. The night shift is usually the newest people hired. They are often still learning the job. They are perceived or are in reality still in an unsure position with our company. They might feel they are temporary, on probation, or not really part of the community. The fact is that we desperately need the night shift to maintain our schedules, load our trucks, and prepare the way for our operation to start fresh, ready to go, first thing in the morning. The performance of the people on our night shift is extremely important to the success of our organization. We often find that some of our greatest success, in meeting our customers’ needs, has a foundation in really diligent workers on our night shift. However, the perception of my co-workers on the night shift is often negative. Errors and shortfalls in production are often blamed on the night shift. Top performance is not always recognized in people on the nightshift. Expectations are low. Transience and turnover are anticipated. My co-workers on the night shift are often young, or older and starting over, but they are often the best, salt of the earth, deep, soulful people. The perception is not accurate, but the facts shine through.

Right now, in our nation, “people camping in the neighborhood” conjures a vision of homelessness and all that goes along with this: Drug addiction, metal health, danger, and uncleanliness. ‘Camping in the neighborhood is a problem in our society that needs to be cleaned up.’ What I know from people engaged in public health, people who have struggled with homelessness, and even some personal connections, is that we should all look at drug addiction, homelessness, and behavioral health emergencies and say, “but for the grace of god go I.” People struggling with homelessness are certainly the beloved of God and in most cases, they prove themselves wonderful people who have fallen on hard times. Again, the perception is not accurate, but the facts shine through.

In Luke we read about the Heavenly Host appearing and singing praises to the “Nightshift Shepherds.” The Glory of God BLAZING around the shepherds camping in the neighborhood. It should come as no surprise that our God, when it came time to make the announcement of the Messiah to the world, knew who to tell first.

Scripture says, “All who heard the Shepherds were impressed!”