The GB News 12 Days of Christmas, Day 5
Hi there, my name is the Reverend Pat Allerton and I'm a vicar in the Church of England
You know, so many people have said to me over the years something along the lines of
Pat, if you knew the things I'd done, you'd realise that God would never be interested in me
They count themselves out, they see themselves as outsiders, unable to come in
which is what makes the story of the shepherds in the Christmas message that more extraordinary
Because in it, we read about people who, in their own day, were the outsiders of the time
They were the misfits, the outcasts, the religiously unclean. And yet, the moment Jesus is born, they are the first ones to hear about it
And they are invited to come and see what's happened. an angel appears to them on the hillside saying
do not be afraid I bring you good news that will be of great joy to all the people because today in the city of David a saviour has been born He is Christ the Lord
And then loads more angels appear in the sky proclaiming glory to God in the highest
and peace on earth to those on whom his favour rests. outsiders are made insiders through the lavish grace and generosity of God and the shepherds
end up being the first people to meet this newborn king so I guess one takeaway for us can be
don't write yourself off and perhaps don't write others off either because God is the God of second
chances. More than that, he's the God of the 102nd chance as well. So here, that good news again
a saviour has been born. He is Christ the Lord