December 19, Modern-Day Shepherds “Be a Shepherd” by S. Raynor

Luke 2: 16-18 (with some extra thrown in for context and just because the words are beautiful)
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.

Theme:
What did you want to be when you grew up…teacher, engineer, park ranger, doctor, fireman? How about shepherd? What path do modern day shepherds follow? Are you still growing?

Illustration:
I always think of shepherds as the strong, silent type who gently guide their sheep with a staff and were “sore afraid” at the angels’ proclamation of the birth of Christ. Yet, looking at the passage, we find that they were quite chatty— “using their words” — just like we tell young children. They used their words to glorify and praise God! They shared good news and listened to Mary.
In these uncertain times, we must use our words, spoken and written, to build bridges, not walls
– To show compassion and that we are listening
– To recognize and dismantle broken systems, large and small
– To be a vessel of nourishing joy
– To defend the oppressed and voiceless
– To be an ally
– To protect creation
– To encourage and love
– To build community
– To declare the worthiness of those who others believe are less
These words are praise songs to our Creator.

Takeaway:
God is already nudging you to use your words. What makes you mad or sad or glad? Use your words to praise God by defending, supporting and encouraging.

Prayer:
Holy God, help us to use our words to speak loving kindness to the least, the last and the lost. Amen.