In AP Research, you learn how to design and conduct surveys. One common tool is the Likert scale—a range of responses meant to capture the full spectrum of human experience or opinion. You’ve seen it before: a company asks, “How often do you use our app?” and you choose from options like Almost never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, or Almost always. You fill it out to get free shipping, and they get data to improve their product.

We’re familiar with these kinds of surveys but now consider this—there’s something strikingly similar in the Christmas story from Luke 2.

When Jesus was born, two very different groups visited Him in the manger: shepherds and angels. That might seem like a simple detail, but it speaks volumes. Shepherds were considered the lowest of the low in that society—unclean, uneducated, and often looked down on. They smelled like the fields and weren’t welcome at high-profile events. And yet, God sent them an invitation.

At the same time, God also sent angels—powerful, celestial beings who live in His presence and proclaim His glory. They broke into the night sky to announce the birth of Jesus.

Shepherds and angels. The full scale. The lowest and the highest. It’s as if God was saying: Everyone is welcome at the manger.

What does that mean for us?

It means that whether you feel important or invisible, honored or overlooked, whether you know your place in the world or feel completely lost—you’re not left out. God’s invitation to come and see Jesus is extended to you.

Imagine if the story only told of kings and angels. Or only of shepherds and slaves. The scale would shift, and some of us might wonder if we were included. But God was intentional. He chose shepherds and angels—declaring for all time that everyone, from the highest to the lowest, is invited.

So, when you hear the Christmas story this year, don’t just see a baby in a manger. See an open invitation. All who acknowledge Jesus as Lord are welcome in the kingdom of heaven.