12.20: “Come, Let Us Adore Him”

Friday, December 20

“There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”     Luke 2:8*

 

 Throughout the Bible, images of shepherds and sheep are used metaphorically. Yet here Luke presents us with shepherds in the flesh, doing their duty – watching over their flocks. Watching for what? Watching for anything, and everything.

While there are conflicting views as to precisely the time of Jesus’ actual birth, this quote gives us reason to believe it was in the lambing season. In this time, shepherds need to be extra vigilant – not only for ewes giving birth and needing assistance, but also for opportunistic predators.

Little did they realize that they would soon bear witness to the birthing of a lamb like no other. Jesus, the Lamb of God.

 

Prayer:

Father, the Advent season reminds us to be like the Shepherds – ever vigilant and ready to bring your Lamb into our lives – knowing that this Lamb, Jesus, is also the Good Shepherd, who will in turn watch over us, and lead us home to you.

Woody Windischman