On November 15th, Marilyn and I plus 32 of our traveling friends were standing at the Shepherds Field between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It was an amazing moment as we read Scripture and sang. Looking over the fields, I asked myself "What must it of
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| BETHLEHEM |
been like 2000 years ago?" Let's go back in time together. Sheep farmers were seen as low or little value by others and these particular shepherds tended sheep the priests bred especially for the sacrifices in the Temple for nearby Jerusalem. Because of this, the sheep had to be perfect, not a spot or blemish anywhere. These were the lambs whose only purpose in being born was to die as an offering for the sins of the people.
It was the Shepherds job to
keep track of them, and bring them back when they strayed. They also protected them from the predators- wolves that sneak in and among the flock and carry the weak ones off.
Now Bethlehem was more
crowded than ever because the Governor had called for a census and everyone in Israel who was descended from King David had to go there to register. David had lived almost a thousand years earlier, had four wives so you can imagine how many descendants were all coming to Bethlehem.
As the Shepherds watched an Angel came to them and said, "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 Messiah, the Lord! This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
Can you imagine, one minute they were finishing up a long day just like always and next they were witnessing the INVASION OF EARTH BY HEAVEN ITSELF. ETERNITY HAD ENTERED TIME AND THE SON OF GOD HAD BECOME
THE SON OF MAN .
There before them was a healthy baby boy. "Can this be what God looks like, he's just a baby" Like most people, they probably expected that if they ever saw God, He would be a giant warrior king with a huge sword and a menacing look. Maybe the baby from Bethlehem wasn't the King they expected, but He Was the One we all needed. He was our Savior, our Messiah!
Having seen the proof that the angel told them to look for, they went back to their flocks praising God and giving Him Glory. They must of been thanking Him for letting a humble shepherd like themselves be the first to see the Christ Child.
Isn't it ironic, that those who spent their lives tending lambs born to die, should be the first to see The Lamb born to die for the sins of the people??
On that night in Bethlehem with the Shepherd fields near by,
A group of shepherds became sheep and
the Lamb of God became their Shepherd.
Let's all join together and pray for peace on Earth; That all people will see and experience Jesus as the humble shepherds did 2000 years ago.
Merry Christmas
