‘No one too lowly, no one too important’: Jesus’ birth breaks barriers of race, class & culture

Text of a talk by Eman Tabbasum, aged 16, at Streatham Baptist Church on 14th December

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When Jesus was born, God didn’t choose the mighty or the powerful to welcome Him.

Instead, he chose people from opposite ends of society: the shepherds and the wise men. God brought them both to Jesus and their inclusion in the Nativity teaches us about God’s love for all people. 

The unimportant

In Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, he tells us that local shepherds were the first to hear the good news through a visit from angels. God chose to reveal the birth of his Son first to those that the world considered unimportant. 

The shepherds represent those who may feel ordinary, overlooked, insignificant or even unworthy of God’s love. Their presence shows that Jesus came for people like them, and the Gospel doesn’t require status or achievement, but is available for everyone. 

Educated and wealthy

In Matthew’s account, we read about the wise men, sometimes referred to as the three kings or Magi, were also invited to visit Jesus. In complete contrast to the shepherds, they were educated and wealthy. Rather than locals, they were foreigners from the East. They had a high status which is why King Herod met with them as they entered the capital city.

The wise men represent those who may be influential, privileged and have authority, as well as people who are intellectual and respected for their knowledge.

Those who seek

But the wise men can also represent seekers – those who search for truth and guidance. While the shepherds responded immediately to the news from the angels, they travelled for months, possibly even up to a year, showing their devotion to seek the Messiah.

Their journey and persistence show us that God does not ignore our searching, but guides it — just as He guided the wise men by the star – welcoming those who seek direction, hope, and truth. 

The contrast

We can look at the clear contrast between both groups of people.

One group is poor, the other wealthy.

One group uneducated, the other intellectual.

One group from nearby fields, the other from distant nations.

One group met Jesus immediately, the other after a long journey.

These differences are not coincidental, but reveal something essential: that Jesus is the Saviour for every kind of person.

No one is too lowly to come to him and no one is too important to need him.

Breaking barriers

By bringing shepherds and wise men to meet the same Saviour, God shows us that the arrival of Jesus breaks the barriers between classes, cultures and backgrounds.

At His birth, social barriers fall. And later, at His death, the wall between humanity and God falls too. Through Christ, every dividing line breaks because of God’s grace.      

Representing us all

The shepherds and wise men represent all of us.

Some of us feel like the shepherds – ordinary, unnoticed and unsure why God would bother with us.

Some of us feel like the wise men – full of questions, searching for answers and trying to find direction.

For some the truth of faith might be a suddenly revealed, for others it means seeking and trusting God over a long time.

All invited

And that’s the amazing thing about what happened at Christmas.

God’s decision to reveal this world-altering news to the shepherds and the wise men shows us that no matter who we are, how others see us, or how we see ourselves, we are all invited to meet Jesus.

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Eman Tabbasum is 16 and is a member of Ichthus, Streatham Baptist Church’s youth group and attends Wallington Grammar High School for Girls.