The Good Shepherd and the Shepherd
Imagine, for a moment, that you are a shepherd out in a field on a Judean hillside. It is a quiet night, a silent night. Your flock is settled for their nights rest. Every once in a while you hear a gentle bleat from one of the sheep, but all in all, the flock is resting comfortably. You, yourself are beginning to settle in for a long night of careful watch over your flock. All is calm.
All of a sudden your calm is shattered by a glorious light, at the same time a frightening light because you do not know its’ source. Then an angel appears telling you not to be afraid because he brings you good news, news of a Savior born in Bethlehem. Next, thousands of angels appear all singing joyous, heavenly music that catches your immediate attention. It takes a moment to absorb all that is happening, when you realize that your calm has been shattered by great joy!
A joy that is profound, that is explosive, that is powerful, that is empowering, that is motivating, that is enabling, that is reassuring, that is comforting and a joy that needs to be shared. So you run with urgency, to a stable in Bethlehem, to find a baby lying in a manger just as the angel said. Your joy is satisfied, it is complete, for before you is the Savior of the world, the fulfillment of God’s promise to you and His love for you. Again, you run, run back to your flock and on your way you share what you have heard and seen. Slowly you begin to understand your relationship with the baby in the manger.
You see new purpose in tending your sheep, for you are a shepherd who tends the sheep for the temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. You have seen The Lamb!, the final sacrifice.
You know the job of shepherding, finding food, places of safe keeping for your sheep, clean water for them to drink, looking for lost sheep, tending the sheep’s wounds, caring for them when they are sick, calming them when they are in distress. You would give your life for your sheep. There is a stirring in your heart. You have seen the Good Shepherd! The Good Shepherd chose you, a lowly shepherd, in your unclean state, who responded in faith, believed what you had seen and heard, to be the first to witness the birth of The Lamb.
You have returned to your flock and once again are in a field on a Judean hillside keeping watch over your sheep. The shattering joy that you experienced has now become a calming joy, one to be treasured, for it has taken deep root in your soul, and your life will never be the same.
Shepherding His Little Lambs,
Ann
Many Thanks to:
Mrs. Susan Deck and Mr. Balsha Terzic, the staff and school board members for providing the dinner last Wednesday evening before our school Christmas service. It was outstanding!
Thank you to Ms. Ann Wahlstrom and Mrs. Enid Jackson for preparing our bulletins for the Christmas service.
Thank you to Ms. Mary Wahlstrom, Dr. Andy Lewis and Mrs. Deni Lewis for their electronic expertise and support!!
Thank you to Pastor Hank for leading us in prayer.
Thank you to the students of RLS for sharing the Christmas story with us. You did a terrific job!
Did you miss the program? Check out the service by going to https://rlcnn.org/streaming/ and clicking on the Advent Service. Enjoy!
“Resurrection Lutheran School and Child Care exists to joyfully share the love of Jesus Christ, and nurture the faith of children and their families. “
