The Chosen Shepherds

We usually just think of Mary as having been especially chosen to bear the Christ Child and she was. But, God, in His infinite wisdom, saw several others who were specifically picked to be used of Him during this time. The first that comes to mind is John the Baptist and his parents. John was chosen by God, before he was born, to be the fore runner of the Messiah. His parents had to submit to God's divine leadership, as did John when he was older. Of all of the Magi in the East, why these particular ones? What made them so special? No doubt there were others that had studied Daniel's writings, as well as the prophecies of the Hebrew nation, who may have been just as curious. But they didn't follow "His star". And what about those shepherds out on the hillside that night? Why did God see fit to send His Angel to them with the wonderful glad tidings of great joy? Questions we will never know the answer to. But, I think that when we get to Heaven and have a moment to sit down with them, they will tell us a story that will surpass our feeble imaginations of today. These humble men of no particular worth to those who knew them, were picked by God Almighty to be a part of His master plan. They were privileged to go into Bethlehem and find "the babe lying in a manger", just as the angel had said. They were so moved by this experience that they went everywhere telling people that the Messiah had come. Now, let's bring this up to date and realize that you and I have also been privileged to receive the message that the Messiah has come. And just as the shepherds had the responsibility to pass the news along, so do we. The chosen shepherds and "the chosen US".