During this Advent season leading to Christmas, I find myself contemplating the different people in the nativity story. The shepherds capture my attention.
I marvel that these humble ordinary folks were the first to receive God’s proclamation of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. God honored these hard-working people who lived on the fringe, with the Good News to humankind. I love the subversive activity of the Lord God Almighty. The shepherds took the historic news, followed the directions of the angel, witnessed the Messiah, and broadcast their experience to others. Wow!
Read the account from Luke as though one of the shepherds. Enter into the Scripture with your five senses: what do you see, hear, smell, touch, and taste?
Luke 2:8-20 – And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
- What emotions erupt within you?
- How does your body feel?
- Describe what your eyes behold.
- What do your hands and feet touch?
- Do you notice any taste upon your tongue?
- What smells linger in your nostrils?
- Tell about the melody ringing in your ears.
Read the Scripture again, with the following questions in mind. Notice what stands out to you.
- What more seems highlighted to you regarding the shepherds? Hold with God.
- In what ways do these “highlights” relate to the significance of the birth of Jesus? Ponder with God.
- How might what you noticed connect with your personal story? Be curious with God.
- To what does God invite you through this Scripture? Wonder with God.
Shepherds used a staff (a long stick with a hooked end) in their work with the sheep. The staff of the shepherd offered guidance, protection, and oversight to the flock. The tool provided both correction and comfort. The crook, the hooked end, rescued sheep from danger and brought sheep close to the bosom of the shepherd. This equipment offered a breadth of ways for keeping care for the flock in the custody of the shepherd.
Symbolically, the shepherd’s staff represented strength and authority. Protection, possession, and the awareness of presence proceeded from the one carrying the staff. Additionally, the presence of a shepherd, or overseer, provided peace to the flock.
With the Lord, explore the Scripture from Luke again. If you are able, hold in your hand a candy cane. This represents the shape of a staff. Allow a tactile experience to join and enhance your encounter with God through the verses.
Ponder these reflections and questions:
- Reflect on something that stirs fear within you. Let the Good News of the birth of Jesus meet your fear. Rest in the kind proclamation of God.
- What are three characteristics of God for which to give Him praise? Praise God.
- Into what situations will you welcome God’s guidance and oversight? Release to God.
- How might God invite you into correction by the Holy Spirit? Receive His comfort.
- What are you curious about regarding God? He welcomes your exploration.
- To whom does God draw you to proclaim the Good News? Prayerfully proclaim.
The Lord is our Shepherd (Psalm 23). Many years after His birth, Jesus declared that He is our Good Shepherd (John 10).
God provides His protection over your soul. God pronounces His possession of you as His child. God promises His steadfast and faithful presence to you. You can relax in His peace. Let the shepherds of the nativity story point to the Good Shepherd who lovingly lays down His life for His sheep.
This week – – –
Reflect. Wonder about the ways God meets you in the ordinary moments of life. He may not send a heavenly host but notice the moments of God’s felt presence and care. Look for God throughout your day. Thank Him for disrupting your life with His activity and presence.
Request. Ask God to fill you with courage and confidence like the shepherds. They went to find the baby wrapped in cloths. They spread word about Jesus. They praised God for all they had seen and heard. How might God invite you to follow Him, proclaim Him, and praise him?
Receive. Ezekiel prophesied the tender care of God for His people: “As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep…I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice” (34:12, 16). This describes God’s care for us today. Receive His kindness to you as your Shepherd. Accept His attention to your sorrows and joys. Know that He sees you and watches over you with love, truth, and justice.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
John 10:14, 16 – I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Psalm 100:3 – Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Amanda Jenkins (Author), Dallas Jenkins (Author), Kristen Hendricks (Illustrator). The Chosen Presents: The Shepherd. Colorado Springs, CO. 2023.
Raechel Myers, Melanie Rainer, Amanda Bible Williams. This is the Christmas Story. Brentwood, TN. 2023.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Matt Maher. Go Tell It (Gloria). Click here to watch & listen.
Zach Williams. Go Tell It on the Mountain. Click here to watch and listen.