The Shepherd’s Story – Christmas Through the Eyes of a Shepherd.
The Shepherd’s story plays an important part in the Christmas story. Allow Carol’s imagination to give you a sense of the wonder of that special night.
The Living Museum
A number of years ago our church did a Christmas program called the living museum. Some of us had the opportunity to write monologues from the perspective of various people in the Christmas story. I had the chance to look at the familiar passages with fresh eyes and wonder what they must have seen, heard, felt on that night of Jesus’ birth.
From the Perspective of the Shepherds
This Christmas allow yourself to reflect from the perspective of the shepherds. The shepherds were looked down on by everyone else. They had a dirty, thankless job and no one considered them worth much, not even their testimony would be considered valid. Yet God chose to reveal the greatest gift of all – the coming of the Messiah to the lowly shepherds. Can you hear the excitement in their voices as they share what happened that night? Here is what a shepherd might tell us. .
The Shepherd’s Story
Listen to what happened tonight. You’re never going to believe it but it’s all true. I’m not making up any of it. We were out in the field, just outside Bethlehem just like every other night. We had to stay awake, or at least take turns at staying awake to keep the sheep calm enough to rest and safe from the wild animals just looking for an easy snack.
I had settled in by the fire to wait out the long, dark hours of night once the sheep rested quietly. Our presence among them made them feel secure enough to quiet down. Hadn’t heard of bears or anything in the area so figured it would be a quiet night. I wrapped by cloak around myself and slid a bit closer to the warmth of the fire.
Suddenly the night sky lit up. An angel started talking to us. I rubbed my eyes but I was awake. This was no dream. It was like the glory of the Lord Almighty filled the night sky and a bright light shone down on us in that field. I was terrified. I hid my face and started to shake with how scared I was. What was happening?
Then the angel spoke and told us not to be afraid. I lifted my head a bit to take a quick peek. As the angel kept talking, my fear left and I started to get excited about the message. The angel said there was good news for everyone tonight. The Messiah – the Saviour we’d been waiting for was here – in Bethlehem.
But it was also rather strange because the angel told us we would know it was the Saviour because he would be a baby, wrapped in cloths and would be lying in a manger. Before I had time to realize how crazy it was to think of a baby in a manger being our Saviour, a whole host – more than I could count joined the first angel. The whole sky filled with light and angels singing Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men.
Peace would be nice. The Romans kept us under their thumb. The people didn’t trust us shepherds. Life was hard. This beautiful sight and the amazing singing filled me with wonder and hope and then they were all gone. The stars twinkled overhead but nothing out of the ordinary. The night seemed blacker and more silent after the angels left. Yet in all of this our sheep felt no fear – they kept resting.
“Come on, let’s go! What are we waiting for?” I shouted to the others. “Let’s see for ourselves if this is really true.”
I jumped up and started running into Bethlehem to the stable the angels told us about. The others could follow or not but I knew I had to go and find the Saviour. I found the place and there he was, just like the angel said he would be. A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. I just knew this is the one the angel told us about.
I could hardly get the words out quick enough to tell Mary and Joseph everything I had seen and heard that night. I told them everything – about the angel and what he said and the choir of angels.
I can still hardly believe that God told us first – lowly shepherds that most people don’t want anything to do with. He sent us to see His Son, to be the first visitors to worship Jesus. I have to go tell more people. I want to tell everyone this wonderful news. Our Saviour is here – he was born tonight. He’s there – in that stable, lying in the manger. Praise God for his arrival. Thank you God for giving us the message of hope. Thank you Lord Almighty for letting me come and worship your son.
Glory to God in the highest. His Peace has come to the earth.
Everyone come – you need to see for yourselves the Saviour has come. What are you waiting for?
The Shepherd’s Story Recorded in Luke
Luke 2: 9-20
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ. the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising god and saying.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherd said to one another, let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherd returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
What are your thoughts on the shepherd’s story? We would love to hear from you. Share your comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life.
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope. She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
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Image Credits
Nativity Scene – 5598375
Night Sky – rauschenberger
The Annunciation to the Shepherds – Public domain
Denise says
Thanks this is just what I was looking for when I googled it!!