First person account of a Shepherd:
The night was long. I was along with my co-workers guarding the unfortunate herd of sheep. Unfortunate as all their roads lead them to death. Either they will be dead meat or sacrifices in the holy temple. We were equally unfortunate as we were treated as the lower class and an outlier in the society. We were not respected for who we are, but treated based on our fate. We were ill-treated by the higher-ups in the society. The high priests and the leaders thought we were a nuisance to the society. We were not even allowed to attend the Holy Temple as we were expected to work throughout the day and also because of our image in the society.
The night was long. I was along with my co-workers guarding the unfortunate herd of sheep. Unfortunate as all their roads lead them to death. Either they will be dead meat or sacrifices in the holy temple. We were equally unfortunate as we were treated as the lower class and an outlier in the society. We were not respected for who we are, but treated based on our fate. We were ill-treated by the higher-ups in the society. The high priests and the leaders thought we were a nuisance to the society. We were not even allowed to attend the Holy Temple as we were expected to work throughout the day and also because of our image in the society.
So, here we are - a group of unwanted people guarding a group of a 'soon to be dead' animals in the night which seemed to have no hope of a new dawn! The only question each one of us had at that time was - "Why me?"
But that night had a purpose. That night was different. We became someone that night!
An angel appeared right in front of us. We are not used to an invasion at an time, let alone night. Needless to say, we were terrified! Based on our portrayal in the society, we feared for the worst. But the angel said to us:
Luke 2:10-14
10 - But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 - Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 - This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 - Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 - “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
11 - Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 - This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 - Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 - “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
A host of heavenly angels suddenly appeared in front of us and started praising the Almighty God. They seemed happy as if something big has happened or is going to happen. We were shocked. It took us some time to grasp what has happened. This is what the scripture says about us:
Luke 2:15-20
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.”
16 - So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 - When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 - and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 - But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 - The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
16 - So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 - When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 - and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 - But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 - The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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| Image courtesy: http://natal25desember.com/ |
Guess what? We were the ONLY ones invited to visit our LORD. Not even the wise men, they came following a star. Not even the High Priests and the Leaders. No one in our hypocritical society. Only the shepherds. Such high esteem from the Almighty! And that too to a 'nobody' like me. I am forced to ask the same question I asked sometime back - "Why me?"
Wish you all a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year! God Bless.
