Of Shepherds and Christmas

I look up at the cold night sky as I walk the well-worn path to the barn and take one last look to make sure my sheep are bedded down and safe. The stars and moon light my way as they’ve done hundreds of times during my years as a Shepherdess. All is calm, all is bright.

On Christmas Eve especially I look up expectantly to see the Star of Bethlehem. I know of course, I won’t. But my mind’s eye can see it and the Shepherds, and my heart can almost feel their fear and wonder and dismay as the angel proclaimed to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 10–12

God chose Shepherds to announce our Savior’s birth to — not kings or religious leaders, wealthy or influential people. He chose Shepherds. Why? Maybe because they were humble and did not think highly of themselves. In the time of Christ, Shepherds were considered lower class citizens still, Christ’s birth was proclaimed first to them and throughout the Bible Shepherds were mightily used by God for His purposes including: Moses, David, Rachel and Jacob.

The angel told these Shepherds the Christ child was for all people and that He was “born to you” — to them — not just for the kings and those of wealth and high society, but for all people. Not just then but for all time.

I turn back and walk towards the barn one last time as I hear a sheep baa piercing the silence of the night, and I sit down next to her in the deep, warm bedding. Her eyes are closed as she chews contentedly. The peace is almost palpable, and I imagine the barn’s still silence pierced by the cry of a newborn baby contentedly nestled into his mother in a bed of hay over 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ. The Lamb of God. The Good Shepherd.

What does it say that the Son of God refers to Himself as a lowly Shepherd? It says He did not come to be served but to serve. He came to live with us, to be us, to die for us as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.

And, I am a modern-day Shepherdess, one of those whose birth His angel came to proclaim long before my time. How do I even begin to describe that? I cannot. I simply cannot.

This I can say, “O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!”

Blessed Christmas!

Jackie Deems copyright 2021