Shepherds

                It is the time of year when Christians reflect on the birth of Christ. For me, Luke chapter 2 is as good as it gets, Linus from the Charlie Brown Christmas special thought so too as he quoted from the chapter. Having been to Bethlehem and viewed the Shepherd’s Field as well as a manger representation it goes even deeper.
                The shepherds field is uneven and rocky, there really isn’t much to protect one from the wind. Certainly, the shepherds were grubby, being a shepherd in those days was not the most respected of positions either. Yet, God chose this sampling of humankind to be the first to see His son. The appearance of the heavenly host was the most majestic thing about Jesus’ birth, but they didn’t appear to Mary and Joseph, they appeared to shepherds! Everything else was humble to the extreme. Born of a virgin, translation- unmarried, teen, Mom. Born in a stable – this is actually more like a cave than what we think of as a stable. The animals were brought into the cave to protect them from the weather as well as other animal predators. This place would be crowded, smelly, dark and noisy with all the animals in there. Laid in a manger – basically an animal food trough. You know, animals drool and slobber when they eat; once again a less than ideal place to be, yet Jesus slept there.
                How surprised Mary and Joseph must have been when the shepherds entered their space. They may have expected to be harmed, these men of low repute did not desire to harm them but they came to see the baby out of reverence. And as most people do when they have good news they went about sharing the news.
Luke 2:17-20 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Who would listen to the shepherds?) 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.
                Such humility and such grace! Consider that Jesus didn’t just come down from heaven, he came to a place that was about as low as one could get. It’s astounding, it’s fabulous, it’s great news for all of us, God’s love came down, for us!

                Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

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