Follow Nascent Hope into the World

Send us Fan MailBe Like the Shepherds: Follow Nascent Hope into the World As we reflect on the Christmas story found in the second chapter of Luke, we are encouraged to see ourselves in the place of the shepherds. Both boys and girls could find themselves in caretaker roles for animals. Though their status in society was really low, what shepherds did in caring for the sheep, guiding the sheep and protecting the sheep was vital for society in terms of feeding and clothing the world. We think of shepherds differently because of David beating Goliath. But remember, when Samuel asked Jesse to call his sons because he was going to anoint one king, Jesse didn’t bother calling David. He was just a shepherd boy. That was their status was very low in society. Despite this, the angels appeared to the shepherds… Now hear the words of the story:“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.All went to their own towns to be registered.Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child,and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them,and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.”The angels appeared to the shepherds during a difficult time. The nation of Israel was under Roman occupation and domination. All of society’s institutions were corrupt and self serving. Inequality and Injustice were the order of the day. The angels declared to the shepherds that a messiah had been born, an anointed one who would one day make things right. The shepherds had the courage to go and find out for themselves. And when they found the baby they rejoiced. It would be 30 years before Jesus would preach his first sermon, 30 years before he would heal a sick person, 30 years before he would confront corruption at the temple. 30 years before heSupport the show