G B Caird is helpful, as ever, in his comments on Luke's account of the birth of Jesus:
“Luke does not claim in so many words that any prophecy was fulfilled; but, just as the prophecies of Malachi 3:1-4:6 and Isaiah 7:14 underlie the message of Gabriel to Zechariah and Mary, so here many strands form Micah 5:2-5 are woven into the fabric of the narrative. This prophecy tells how in the town of Bethlehem a mother in travail is to give birth to a prince of ancient lineage, who will be shepherd of the scattered flock of Israel, standing in the glory of the Lord and extending his authority to the ends of the earth, with a proclamation of peace.” (page 60)
[Question from me: Does that give a reason why the first birth announcement was made to shepherds. A kind of "takes one to know one" line of thought?]
There is also much symbolism in this narrative.
“There was no room for the Saviour in the common guest-room of the inn, Justas later the Son of man had no place to lay his head, the King of the Jews no throne but a cross. His first worshippers, the shepherds, despised by the orthodox because their occupation made them neglectful of religious observance, are the forerunners of the multitude of humble folk who were to throng him in his public ministry. The angelic chorus anticipates the jubilation which rings throughout the gospel and especially the joy in heaven which Jesus declared to ensure upon the rescue of the lost sheep. And the wonder with which the shepherds’ story was greeted prepares us for the deeper and more abiding wonder to come.” (Page 61)
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