In our traditional way of telling the story, we short-change the shepherds. The typical manger set reveals the imbalance: While Magi arrive at the Nativity bearing magnificent gifts in their arms, impoverished shepherds show up empty-handed. Well, almost. Sometimes a shepherd holds a lamb in his arms, or drapes one across his shoulders. Certainly sheep trail in the shepherds’ footsteps. Nothing suggests these animals are presented as gifts. When you’re a shepherd, sheep come with the territory.

Of course, nativity sets are a composite of two gospel accounts. In no biblical infancy story do Magi and shepherds arrive in tandem to pay their respects to the Christ child. Either you get one set of visitors or the other. Matthew prefers the noble visitors with symbolic gifts. They fit into his overall scheme of presenting Jesus as the one sought by outsiders even as he’s rejected heartily by the historical King of the Jews, Herod. Meanwhile, Luke recounts his Nativity story with shepherds. Humble visitors suit Luke’s agenda: that the poor are specially poised to hear the good news this child will announce.

Following Luke’s strand today, let’s listen closely to what he’s actually saying. Unlike the popular carol about a drummer boy who comes “with no gift to bring,” the shepherds do bring an astonishing offering to the Holy Family. They proclaim a message delivered to them in angelsong. The heavenly message goes something like this: Good news! Today everyone has something to celebrate. The Messiah of David’s house is here! The faithful on earth will know his peace.

Is this message as valuable as those other, more famous presents? While it’s easier, perhaps, to compose three verses about the wise men’s more tangible gifts, good news for everyone on earth is a pretty special declaration. Has there been such an announcement before or since? Usually the daily news is good for some, not so good for others. Most of the time, to be honest, it’s good for the few, and bad for the many. Good news for everyone is surprisingly hard to visualize, like world peace. Can an event that takes place on this planet possibly be good for everybody?

Is it a failure of imagination on our part that we can’t seem to see the shepherds’ gift? Or is it that the allure of gold, pleasing perfume, and ominous myrrh are so much more vivid to us? On this World Day of Peace, will any of us commit to “peace on earth, good will toward all” as more desirable goal even than gold? Mary put the shepherd’s words into her heart and treasured them for a lifetime. They’ve outlasted all the other gifts.

Related scripture links

Infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke: Matt. 1:18-2:23; Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-52
The Woman in John: John 2:1-12, 19:25-27
Mary at Pentecost: Acts 1:13-14, 2:1-4

Catechism links

Natures of Jesus: CCC 464-469
Mary, Mother of God: CCC 144; 484-507; 721-726
Mary, Mother of the Church: CCC 773; 829; 963-972