Thousands upon thousands of churches are preparing to host their Christmas plays this weekend. I love thinking about that. How many of our children are dressing up like sheep, angels and stars for the very first time? Stressed out Moms and Dads are helping them to know where to stand and what to do. Everyone is prompted to sing "Away in the Manger" on cue. Someone has given the shepherds their staffs and they're having an on-stage Star Wars worthy battle. It's mayhem... lovely, spirit-filled, twinkling lights, cookies after the play mayhem. Christmas is here.
My favorites are those little shepherds bowing down before angels and peeking at the newborn Christ. Someone has fashioned a towel on their head and made them wear a scratchy beard. They're dressed and ready to perform. A new kid shows up that you weren't expecting? That's ok. Slap a brown dress on them and put them in the group with the others. There's always room for one more shepherd.
I've been thinking about the shepherds this year. In my Bible study, we challenged each other to follow our "star" during this Christmas season. My star is the truth to the Christmas Story and I'm trying to put my feet into the dusty sandals of those who were there. What was it like? What were the sounds and smells? What was their experience?
Come with me to the hills of Bethlehem. It's a dark night; kind of quiet. Sheep are grazing and your buddies are nodding off. Who are you there to watch? Stinky sheep?? Actually, I've learned that most likely the sheep that were in the fields would eventually serve as sacrificial lambs for the Jewish community. How did you have your sins forgiven before our Christ was born? You came before your tribe, admitted your sins and made your offering -- a sheep to be sacrificed on the altar. Interesting, huh?
The stars are particularly bright on this evening. You hear a rumble, feel an odd presence, and BAM!!! The skies OPEN up and there are strange, magnificent, beautiful, glowing beings in the sky!
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 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." (Luke 2:10-14)
So what did my brave boys do? They ran straight to a cave where a new mother sang to her baby. They fell to their knees and simply stared at the beautiful child. Did they ask questions? Did they introduce themselves? It must not matter. They were there to witness. They -- the shepherds, the low-level employees of ill-reput. Angels did not ask the lawyers to go. The doctors and fishermen were left at home. God wanted His symbolic shepherds there, true men of good character if not meager backgrounds. He wanted those that could be believed.
Later, they ran through the streets of Bethlehem and spread the news! Folks must have thought they'd lost their minds! We don't know what happened as a result of their whoopin' and hollerin' -- but I doubt seriously that is the point. To me, these shepherds knew there was a new sheep in town. They couldn't contain their joy nor their secret. They would have been lifelong citizens of the City of David and so they knew that this was the town that was to expect the Messiah (Micah 5:2). They were the messengers to start telling their friends and families that the time had come! Had the Savior ridden into town in a parade? Did the watchmen see him coming as they expected? We should start getting the point that our Creator never does the expected. He hid his son in the womb of another. He promised that Bethlehem would be the place -- but He didn't promise how. Oh how I love my God's style.
And make sure you get the ultimate point. Who were the shepherds watching now? They were able to see The Lamb of God... the small baby that would be the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins.
We are still to be shepherds. We are to wait and watch for His second coming. Guess what? I doubt we'll see Him walking down the street in a parade. (I'm afraid too many are wasting time in their watchtowers.) We'll know and we'll believe. But until that time, we are also to watch after God's sheep. We are to run through the town and spread the Good News! We are called, during this blessed time of the year, to come and witness the miracle of the birth of our Christ. We are to open our eyes and see the newborn babe and know He is the Lamb. But most importantly, we are to feel blessed that God the Father has chosen us, His lowly servants, to be the first witnesses. Don't let that go by un-noticed. You have been chosen. You -- the believer of good character if not of meager background.
This child was born for you, shepherd. Now... Go Tell it on the Mountain! It doesn't matter how you dress, what you do for a living, single or married, thin or not... just bow down and accept His loving gift... the gift of grace.
Take a moment to bow down at the feet of our loving and brave Mary. Squeeze in to catch a glimpse of the peaceful child. Smile up at courageous and star-struck Joseph. Make room in that small place for yourself. There's always room for one more shepherd.
So what did my brave boys do? They ran straight to a cave where a new mother sang to her baby. They fell to their knees and simply stared at the beautiful child. Did they ask questions? Did they introduce themselves? It must not matter. They were there to witness. They -- the shepherds, the low-level employees of ill-reput. Angels did not ask the lawyers to go. The doctors and fishermen were left at home. God wanted His symbolic shepherds there, true men of good character if not meager backgrounds. He wanted those that could be believed.
Later, they ran through the streets of Bethlehem and spread the news! Folks must have thought they'd lost their minds! We don't know what happened as a result of their whoopin' and hollerin' -- but I doubt seriously that is the point. To me, these shepherds knew there was a new sheep in town. They couldn't contain their joy nor their secret. They would have been lifelong citizens of the City of David and so they knew that this was the town that was to expect the Messiah (Micah 5:2). They were the messengers to start telling their friends and families that the time had come! Had the Savior ridden into town in a parade? Did the watchmen see him coming as they expected? We should start getting the point that our Creator never does the expected. He hid his son in the womb of another. He promised that Bethlehem would be the place -- but He didn't promise how. Oh how I love my God's style.
And make sure you get the ultimate point. Who were the shepherds watching now? They were able to see The Lamb of God... the small baby that would be the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins.
We are still to be shepherds. We are to wait and watch for His second coming. Guess what? I doubt we'll see Him walking down the street in a parade. (I'm afraid too many are wasting time in their watchtowers.) We'll know and we'll believe. But until that time, we are also to watch after God's sheep. We are to run through the town and spread the Good News! We are called, during this blessed time of the year, to come and witness the miracle of the birth of our Christ. We are to open our eyes and see the newborn babe and know He is the Lamb. But most importantly, we are to feel blessed that God the Father has chosen us, His lowly servants, to be the first witnesses. Don't let that go by un-noticed. You have been chosen. You -- the believer of good character if not of meager background.
This child was born for you, shepherd. Now... Go Tell it on the Mountain! It doesn't matter how you dress, what you do for a living, single or married, thin or not... just bow down and accept His loving gift... the gift of grace.
Take a moment to bow down at the feet of our loving and brave Mary. Squeeze in to catch a glimpse of the peaceful child. Smile up at courageous and star-struck Joseph. Make room in that small place for yourself. There's always room for one more shepherd.
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