The Shepherds
a lyrical look at Christ's first welcome committee
Our wares are kicked to the side, The wool a muddy mess. “Likely stolen,” mutters the man walking past. No one trusts a shepherd. The town hates that we tend our flocks nearby. Farmers spit at us if we wander too near their fields. The villagers give us wary looks when we come within the walls to buy food. “David was a shepherd, don’t forget it.” Says my father. “The rabbi only says that to show how far he rose,” I reply sulkily. “Our forefathers – Abraham and Judah - what do you think they did, hey?” Papa asks with a playful nudge. “Moved around all the time. They couldn’t farm, so they had sheep.” I know this reply will cease the conversation. “Come, my boy, let’s head back to the flock.” We trudge back to the hills. Night is falling fast, and our sheep need protecting from all that wanders in the dark. The townsfolk do not know the bravery required of a shepherd, Of how my father received those scars on his forearm. The flock relies on our strength, our watchfulness, our care. Our sheep know our voices and trust us. “Let us check the littles,” says Papa. The lambs are nestled close to their mothers, Cuddling in for warmth and milk. We will stay close to ensure they keep safe. “One is missing, where is the eldest?” I cry in alarm. Father rises to go look - but I see how his bones ache from the effort. “Let me go,” I rush to say, “I’ll find him and bring him back here.” Father nods and hands me the staff. Solid wood smoothed with years of use. “Be safe and stay close,” Papa reminds me. But we both know he too would leave the others to find our one lost sheep. Not far from our camp, I hear a plaintive bleat. The poor, stupid thing is caught in the thistles. I gently weave the thorny bush from his downy wool, Cradling the lamb to my chest as I stumble back. “I’ll always find you -” I whisper to the lamb, Rocking him back and forth to soothe his confused cries. “Even when you’re ridiculous.” I tell him with a nuzzle. Suddenly, the sheep lift their heads. The ewes cuddle close to their young, The rams stand at alert. Something is coming. Father and I jump to our feet, Staffs at the ready. The air tingles with anticipation, the stars themselves crackle and pop. An unnatural hush falls, a whoosh of wind, strong and strangely scented, wild like spices and smoke. Then, a point of light appears in front of us. It glows like an oil lamp, But brightens and steadily grows larger, The color like nothing I’ve seen before. A figure appears in the glow, Shaped like a man, But with enormous wings like a bird of prey. Their voice booms, “Do not be afraid,” I am terrified. “I bring you good news that will cause joy to all the people.” 'All people' rarely includes shepherds. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” To me? To us? A savior born - for shepherds? “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” A Messiah? In a manger? With the animals? My head is spinning with questions, My heart beats at a frantic pace. Then the skies open, And what I see brings me to my knees. The light from the figure grows, The sky is brighter than day, As if the sun took up half the sky, And a melody swells, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” The song fills my heart, I feel as though my chest has expanded to thrice its size. His favor, God’s favor, On me? On my family? The light dims, The host disappearing into the inky night, the figure that had spoken to us leaving last, a smile playing across their face. We sit in silence, Then my father turned to me and says, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Recently, I was pulled into a deep dive research project on the shepherds who were the first to hear of Christ’s birth. For those of you who are new here, I love the research phase of a project. Having recently completed my master’s in theology, I gave serious consideration to pursuing a PhD simply for the hours I could spend pouring over dusty tomes and soaking up knowledge about ancient cultures and historically accurate understandings of scriptural narrative. For now, I will scratch that research itch with continued access to my seminary’s online database (thanks Fuller!) and gathering background information for my writing.
I’d always felt like shepherds were an interesting welcoming committee, but I had no idea how socially controversial their presence at Christ’s nativity truly was. An article by Randy Alcorn, which is an excerpt from the book ‘Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus’ edited by Nancy Guthrie, examines the historical significance of choosing shepherds to come to Christ’s birth. Alcorn succinctly explains the low social status of shepherds which came about during the Israelites time in Egypt, a farming community. Shepherds were labeled “sinners” and viewed as a class of despised people. They were not seen as trustworthy or capable, they were even stripped of all civil rights.
This is the people group who God chose to invite to his son’s birth, to spread the news of his arrival, to be the first to meet their Messiah. From the start, Christ’s ministry on earth was marked by inviting the marginalized to the center of the action. By flipping social norms and expectations on their head, Christ set the tone of a kingdom of heaven that welcomed all - even the sinners, especially the sinners!
As we continue to prepare to usher Christ into our hearts this Advent season, my prayer is that we too may model openness to all in God’s kingdom. That we take a moment to recognize the deep message in that first invitation to meet Christ, one made to the lowest of the low, with genuine joy and welcome.
Recommendations
My paid subscribers have already read about this one, my friend Christine Eberle has completed her third book, Finding God Along the Way: Wisdom from the Ignatian Camino for life at home, and it comes into the world this January. She kindly gave me an early copy and it is a triumph! Beautifully written, bite size chapters that give you such rich food for thought, and filled with her trademark wisdom and humor. I cannot recommend it highly enough! You can preorder it here.
Signs + Seasons had their Midwinter Expectations issue come out on Substack and I am relishing the lineup of pieces filled with depth and beauty. They were kind enough to include my piece on the Innkeeper’s Daughter and I am flattered to be featured among such talented creators.
The Waiting and Wassailing reflections from Jesuit Media Lab have been such a bright spot in my Advent this year! You can also find a piece by yours truly here on ‘The First Noel’.
The list of recommendations for beautiful reflections around this time of year could spill on for pages, but I’ll cut myself off here. Please share your favorites in the comments, I’ll be reading along all through the 12 days of Christmas!
Thank you each for reading along with my work, I appreciate the gift of your time. Wishing you each a Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year!