The Visit of the Shepherds
Text: Luke 2: 8-21
While Mary and Joseph were sharing the joys of being parents of a little baby boy, they were unaware of events taking place on the hills outside Bethlehem. A group of shepherds were looking after their sheep as the evening drew to a close. Shepherds belonged to the lower rung of society and often didn’t earn much money. Sometimes they were referred to as gypsies since they moved from one hillside to another to feed their animals.
On the day in question a few shepherds were warming themselves by a fire engaged in desultory conversations. They would not have been prepared for the bright light that shone on them from the sky. No wonder they became afraid! An angel appeared and asked them not to be afraid. The angel informed the shepherds that a baby had been born in Bethlehem who was a descendent of King David. The baby was Christ the Lord!
The shepherd continued being baffled wondering if what had occurred was real. Did they really see an angel? Or was it an illusion? The angel calmed them and asked them to go to Bethlehem and see for themselves that an infant dressed in baby clothes was sleeping in a manger. Immediately following the words of the angel a whole host of angels praising God and wishing Peace on earth appeared in the sky. These events are recorded to fulfil the prophecy that the coming of the Messiah on earth would be announced first to shepherds.
Once the angels had disappeared the shepherds hurried into the city and found Mary, Joseph and the baby. The shepherds were overjoyed and shared their experience with the angels with those who were present. They returned to the hillside and continued watching their sheep praising God and talking about the events of the night.
But Mary sat quietly thinking of all that had transpired, and wondering what it meant and what the future would hold for her son Jesus. The birth of God’s Son was announced first to powerless shepherds and not to the powerful Emperor Augustus who had ordered the census which brought the family to Bethlehem.
Ponder – Powerlessness:
The Magnificat and the announcement to the shepherds spoke of God’s promise to those who were powerless in the world.
Where, amidst all the celebrations of Christmas will you find those who are powerless today?
A Family Celebration – A Contemporary Story
The early morning sun began to fill the bedroom and wake Jill. She noticed that Daniel was already awake, perhaps at his computer in the study. She could hear excited whispering and running sounds in the corridor. In a few minutes she heard the exclamations and shouts as the children found their gifts under the Christmas Tree.
Jill was not quite ready to get out of bed and start the day. Her thoughts wondered to the previous evening when she had taken the children to church with her. The familiar carols made her smile. The music and the words brought back childhood memories for her, though they had meant nothing to the children. The youngest was sleepy. The older two were restless. She knew they couldn’t wait to get back home and wait for Santa! Jill knew that her mother would be pleased that the Christmas traditions she had grown up with were now a part of her family celebrations. The BBQ, turkey, salads, Christmas puddings, and bonbons and paper caps – all the trappings of a celebration – was what Christmas meant to her family. Plus Daniel’s family who came over every year to celebrate with them.
Jill finally got out of bed and headed for the kitchen and her first cup of coffee to start the day. Voices reached her from across the street. Looking out of the window she saw the two children from their neighbour’s house. They were sitting on the steps and watching her children. There was no excitement on the faces of the two children as they watched her children unwrapping presents and racing around the house. The refugee family were new to the neighbourhood. Jill had been too busy during the past weeks to step in and introduce herself. She had meant to. In fact she had wondered a few times if she should invite them to the Christmas meal. But she hadn’t. It was too late now and she had a great deal to do today.
Jill took her cup of coffee and walked to the study to wish Daniel a merry Christmas.
Ponder:
How would you finish this story?