The shepherds were the first people to be notified of Jesus’ birth. They are, in fact, an essential part of the nativity story.
Luke 2:8–9 ESV
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
The shepherds were:
They were the first to be told as they were busy doing what they always do.
They saw and heard the angel of the Lord; They were afraid at first.
They saw and heard the host of angels praising God.
They believed the angel of the Lord and went to see Jesus — with haste.
They were the first evangelists; They saw Jesus long before the wise men. He was less than a-week-old in the manger.
