” “The shepherds, the social outcasts of that time, were entrusted with the task of announcing the birth of Jesus, thus becoming angels, that is, messengers. They remind us of the many people who are outcasts even today. The message for Christmas 2006 from Samuel Kobia, Secretary General of the World Church Council (Wcc), published today, is all about the figure of the shepherds. "Even without changing the way they look, shepherds have become angels. Meeting Jesus changes them" writes Kobia, who recalls the WCC assembly in Porto Alegre this year, when they heard "loud voices speaking of peace and hope, of the need to defend children from the war, to invest in their education and growth". Since then, continues the message, "our prayers for changing the world have reached Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Sudan, the Philippines and the regions at war". "The evangelical tale of the birth according to Luke concludes Kobia encourages us, because, if the shepherds have become angels, then there’s hope for all of us to become angels and share the joy of the message of love and justice, and change the world".” “
