Alex Floyd

Bryan County Board of Commissioners

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. -Luke 2: 8-11 KJV

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story is that the first people, other than Mary, Joseph and some close kin, to hear about the birth of Christ was the shepherds. The Greatest News in the history of the world was neither sung in hallowed cathedrals or proclaimed in halls of congress but literally woke up and scared the livestock men sleeping in the pasture. I think it’s a divine nod to Jesus’ grandpappy King David who began life in the pastures and sang “The Lord is my Shepherd” in his 23rd Psalm.

The significance is even more powerful when one considers the role of shepherds in ancient societies. These were the wild men with no education, no background, no pedigree, no trade and probably no desire for these things. They moved with, lived among, slept beside, smelled like and protected the herd (which probably didn’t even belong to them) year-round. The clean-cut, well-clothed shepherds of the ceramic nativity scene is misleading to say the least.

Nobody purposefully sought out shepherds to share good news. These men probably never in their wildest dreams believed they would receive a message direct from God and their story be told for thousands of years in history’s best seller. Things like that didn’t happen to people like them. They could have thought “Whew, I knew I shouldn’t have eaten those funny-looking berries” and went back to sleep, but they accepted God’s message and overcame any doubt to act upon it.

I imagine when they found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, the family may have thought they were being robbed. I imagine Joseph reaching for a stick and when he turned back around, these roughnecks were on their knees before his newborn child and repeating the words of the angel, “Glory to God in the highest”.

I hope this Christmas that all people would do the same. No matter your background, your finances, your family tree, your education, etc., I hope you hear and receive the Christmas message and know that it is a gift for everyone direct from the King of Kings. It is not a secret to be guarded by the elites but a blessing to be shared with all people because God loves us all plain and simple. No one can take it from you, it is all of our message to hear, cherish and act upon.

My message is simple and for everyone too. I’m very thankful to you all for being given the opportunity to serve you as your District 1 Commissioner here in Bryan County. I want only your prayers going forward and to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Alex Floyd is the District 1 Commissioner-elect on the Bryan County Board of Commissioners.