Of course it was frightening, for it seemed like just another normal evening to those shepherds. Taking turns on the night shift, watching for threatening attacks, guarding each individual sheep’s needs, and constantly wrestling with the natural elements.
Exhausting, longing, waiting on God, loss, fear.
Was life in this fallen world one of ongoing suffering and hardship for the shepherds?
Of course.
It is for everyone.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Please help us hear the same song, the angels’ Christmas song, using the lyrics of Handel’s Messiah. In its echoes of God’s Word to us, help us imagine the sound and sight as it points us to You, our Good Shepherd.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11 ESV).
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night (Lk. 2:8).
And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid (Lk. 2:9).
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4 ESV).
Help me to “fear not” through Your Christmas song of my joy in the gospel
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Lk. 2:10)…
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.”
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Lk. 15:4-7 ESV).
“For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the LORD!” (Lk. 2:11)
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth (Mic. 5:4 ESV).
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Ps. 23:1-3).
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32 ESV).
Jesus, help me to glorify You with the angels’ Christmas song, as one to whom You’ve now given peace with our Father
I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the LORD God (Ezek. 34:16 ESV).
For you WERE straying like sheep, but HAVE NOW
returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Pet. 2:25 ESV, emphasis added).
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men!” (Lk. 2:13-14)
I praise You for giving me a Christmas song of hope in Christ Jesus
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt. 25:31-34 ESV).
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4 ESV).
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Ps. 23:5-6 ESV).
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men! Amen!
A Christmas playlist to come to our Good Shepherd as we suffer this Christmas
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Heb. 13:20-21 ESV).
With prayer and love for my suffering sisters in Christ this Christmas, if you would like weekly playlists that help us come to our Good Shepherd with every need and lift our eyes to Him, sign up here. They will be sent to your email. Many others live in our subscriber resource library. Have yourself a blessed little Christmas, no matter what your circumstances are this year.
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