Led to Lead

With the mulled punch warming on the hob, I thought I’d take a few moments to reflect on the Shepherds in the fields.

These keepers of the sheep belonged to one of the lowest Socio-economic groups, yet were called to lead the whole of the flock of the LORD to behold infant Christ.

I suppose they had their favorite “red-letter” shepherd texts in which the members of their profession were specifically named by the Spirit of God.

But it does seem like all religiously-savvy Jews in those times, including these herdsmen, knew Messiah Ben David would be born in littlest Bethlehem (Micah 5).

And it was, when the sign of swaddling was given to the guardians of the lambs, they made haste to Ephrathah, and found it just as angels said and sang (Luke 2:8-14).

There are several lessons that all God’s sheep can learn - under-shepherds may be ”scum of the earth” but they have this noble task of guarding and guiding sheep.

They, with all other once-stray members of God’s flock are directed by the Lord, through pastors of the Word, to bow in thanks to Christ, the Chief, Shepherd, Great and Good, who would later lay down His life in vicarious, sacrificial, love.

And if the certainly of this revealing heavenly apparition, along with all the other reliable historical events concerning Christ were banked in Mary’s heart, to later be relayed by Luke to us, then as we wonder at the miracle of God the Son now become God-Man, we can feast in our homes, celebrate God’s love, and redirect lost sheep to the undoubted glad tidings of the truth.

Blessings to all who love our Lord with an undying love.