"For God so loved the world that he gave his on and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
God did and does still love the world and when He sent His only Son, Jesus some of the first he called were the shepherds who lived outside of society in the fields with a bunch of animals.
I have a bit more on this subject at; http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-denver/shepherds-living-out-the-fields