The priests and rulers among the Jews were not ready to welcome Jesus. They knew that the Saviour was soon to come, but they expected Him to be a mighty king who would make them rich and great. They were too proud to think of the Messiah as being a helpless child. 16 So when Christ was born, God did not reveal it to them. He sent the glad news to some shepherds who kept their flocks on the hills around Bethlehem.

Præsterne og rådsherrerne blandt jøderne var ikke rede til at tage imod Jesus. De vidste, at Frelseren snart skulle komme, men de ventede ham som en stor konge, der skulle give dem rigdom og magt. De var for stolte til at forestille sig Messias som et lille hjælpeløst barn. Da Jesus var født, åbenbarede Gud det derfor ikke for dem, men forkyndte det glædelige budskab for nogle hyrder, som vogtede deres får på Betlehems høje.