I love the excitement and festive atmosphere that leads up to Christmas. At the same time, I lament the busyness of the season that diminishes time to pray, reflect, and ponder the deep meaning of the incarnation. When I consider all the actors in the original Christmas drama, most had their busy lives interrupted by news of Christmas. However, there is one group that by trade had a mundane, even boring vocation. One that likely allowed plenty of time for thoughtful reflection. I am speaking of the shepherds.
A shepherd’s job is not easy or unimportant; however, much time is spent standing watch by day or guard by night. Certainly, as David attested in 1 Samuel, there were moments of panic-inducing terror that punctuated the boredom! But likely, the shepherds were experiencing another quiet night when all of the sudden, heavenly glory explosively interrupted!
Of course, the shepherds reacted as all do in the face of angelic glory – with great fear! But after that initial shock, they reacted to the news by eagerly running to see the Christ child they’d been told about:
“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” (Luke 2:15-18; NKJ)
I doubt any of the shepherds chose their profession with the goal of being available for angelic interruptions! Yet one can argue that their outdoor setting and isolation did allow them to be audience to this angel choir. There certainly seems to be insight into God’s character in His choice of lowly shepherds as the first witnesses to the newborn King.
I am not suggesting that we drop our current careers and take up shepherding; but we would do well to create spaces of quiet in which to hear God speak to us. These vocational heirs of David, residing in his very fields, would have known the truth of his words:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2; NKJ)
God is always speaking through His Word, through the beauty of his creation, and through the wisdom of other believers. The question is: have I created space to hear him?
Third Timotheos Blog 