Advent Devotional Series: Week III

GOD’S WORD
Luke 2:1-20

DEVOTIONAL BY
Major Barry Corbitt
General Secretary Georgia Divisional Headquarters

III Advent Devotional Series
The Journey of the Shepherds

Luke 2:15
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Let’s face it, the shepherds in the Christmas story have gotten a bad rap over the years. They have consistently been referred to as poor, lowly, unsophisticated, illiterate, smelly, simple, crude, unrefined...shall I go on? I’m certainly glad for their sake that they have long since departed, lest they be offended by the subsequent historical descriptions of their worth. The fact is, they did important work. Sheep were valuable. In some parts of the present world, they drive the economy. As winter approaches, many of us will find comfort in the warmth of their wool. So, we may want to give the shepherds a break. Their vocation was vital. They contributed much to society. Let’s just agree to appreciate the shepherds a little more as we approach this festive season.

The truth is, the narrative surrounding the shepherds in the traditional Christmas story is designed to bolster the opinion that the savior of mankind first appeared to the least among us as an illustration of His love for all people, all races, all creeds, everyone...not just the shiny, privileged few. The story developed over time as a homiletical tool to give preachers an extra illustration for their sermon tool bag. I get it, I’ve taken advantage of the plot line myself. It makes for a more fully developed story. It gives writers another hook with which to draw their readers in. You know, sort of like I’m doing right now.

The angels, however, as they announced the good news, viewed the shepherds differently. They were objective in their assessment of these rustic, ceremoniously unclean men. The angels wanted the shepherds to know it was for them, disrespected as they were, that this savior baby came into the world. It could be that one or more of those herders of sheep needed to be reminded of their human significance. It isn’t by accident the angel’s proclamation contained the essential phrase, “Today in the town of David a savior has been born to YOU.” Those words made it personal. Not only was this baby going to atone for the collective sin of all humanity, He was going to offer himself for each shepherd individually. I can almost hear the shepherds talking among themselves and saying, “who would have ever thought we would be regarded as important enough to receive this news from heaven itself...maybe there is hope for tomorrow after all...let’s go see what this is all about!”

The shepherds didn’t have far to travel. The prevailing thought is that they were probably only two to three miles outside of Bethlehem, close enough to make a quick trip, leaving their flocks to graze while they made haste to the holy scene. It can be assumed they walked at a quickened pace. Imagine if you had been in their place and had just heard this wonderful news as delivered by a multitude of angels whose light filled the nighttime sky. Your steps would be lighter and faster as well! Supposing they were only two miles away from the city limits, walking at elevated velocity, excited as they were, we can surmise that it took them only a short while, perhaps only thirty minutes or so to cover the distance. I often wonder how their conversation unfolded as they traversed the countryside. They had a lot to unpack! Again, it can’t be stressed enough just how out of the ordinary their evening had been up to this point. Of course, we’ve heard the story so many times we’ve become apathetic to the strangeness of the whole scene. But to have been there in real time, well, there would have been A LOT to talk about along the way! No doubt it was a happy journey. The shepherd’s lives had been turned upside down in an instant, but in a good way. Finally, all would be reconciled. Praise be to God!

Locating the correct stable wasn’t difficult. The angel had given specific information regarding the description and whereabouts of the child. He would be wrapped in swaddling clothes, the same type of covering used by Temple shepherds to swaddle newborn lambs, and they would find him lying on a bed of hay in an animal feeding trough. It seems logical then that the shepherds would have no trouble finding Mary, Joseph, and the baby. After all, were there other babies born in a manger in Bethlehem that night? I think we can safely assume the answer is no.

We can picture the scene...three or four men, perhaps appearing a little unkempt from spending so much time with animals, quietly peeking into the stall, whispering to one another as to not awaken the sleeping child. Was this child meant to be the political leader that would deliver the Jews from Roman rule? If so, He didn’t appear too intimidating at the moment. No, this child, this Christ, the son of the living God, God himself, was meant to carry out a greater calling, a necessary sacrifice the shepherds could not possibly comprehend in their present circumstance. They only knew that a savior had been born. The methodology of his saving act was yet to be revealed. Little did they know that some 33 years in the future, this baby would give His life in their place. Their short journey was worth it. They saw the light of the world with their own eyes. Nothing would ever be the same again!

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OUR COORPORATE PRAYER
Our Father, maker of heaven and earth, we humbly bow in Your Holy presence to say thank you for sending the Angels to the Shepherds to announce the good news, “that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.” Today we worship You because You alone are worthy. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

In Your name we make this prayer, Jesus Christ, amen.