Hi how are you all today? I am well and have just got back from a weekend of celebrating Christmas with my youngest son. He lives around 4 hours away so anytime we catch up is precious time spent. Do you have family that live far away?
This blog I want to write a fiction story on the shepherds. It is not known who exactly these shepherds were. Some say men, others say teenage girls but whoever they were, their story and how it relates to Jesus’ birth needs to be told.
For my story I am pretending they are men as I would not want girls out in the fields at night. My main character is Bob who is the man in charge. Let’s read his fictional story.
The story itself is found in Luke 2 and I will be taking passages out of the Message Bible.
Bob trudged down towards the stables. It was his turn to do night shift- watch the sheep at night. On these clear warmer nights, it was best for the sheep to be outside lying on the soft green grass. It was only in the winter or at birthing time they were housed in the barns.
He arrived at the stables and spoke to the owner of the sheep. “They are out in the far field“, the owner told him.
Bob knew which field the owner meant. It had a stream running through it and was fairly well protected. It should be a quiet night, he thought. His new baby was being fussy so he hadn’t had much rest today. Sometimes through the day, he helped his father in the carpenter’s shop but thankfully he wasn’t needed today.
Bob arrived in the field and greeted the others who were there. He then went and counted the sheep- 150- that’s how many needed to be there in the morning in order for him to receive his full wage.
Bob sank into the grass in the middle of the sheep to keep watch. He hoped there would be no trouble tonight. His candle was lit just in case.
He had sat there for a while when he started to get tired and his eyes were closing. As he started to get up to check on the sheep, all of a sudden a bright light shine in the sky above. He had to shield his eyes as the light was so bright. Trembling, he sat down again wondering what this strange phenomenon was.
Then he heard speaking and looked up to see who it was. He had never heard a voice like that before. The voice said:
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
Before Bob could comprehend the words that were spoken, singing filled the air.
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As quickly as it had started, it stopped and darkness descended around them.
“What was that”, someone said.
“Let’s go and see”, shouted someone else.
“How do we know which manger to look in”, another person questioned.
Bob said “We will go and the only manger it could be would be the one used for the Passover lambs as it is empty. The others are now used for feeding troughs.”
The shepherds hurried off and left the sheep. They reasoned among themselves that if God wanted them to see the baby, He would protect their sheep.
They came to the barn where the manger was and walked quietly in. They could see a candle flickering so knew this was the right place.
They walked in and stood there amazed. It was exactly as they had been told. They told Joseph and Mary their story and they were astounded.
Bob wanted to stand there and gaze all night at this baby that had been born Saviour of the world but he knew from being a new dad himself that they shouldn’t stay long.
They left and as soon as they got out of the barn, they started talking excitedly about who they would tell the next day.
When they arrived back, the sheep were still all there resting. God had protected them.
The story of the shepherds is profound. God wanted shepherds to be the first ones to see Jesus as a baby.
What this story teaches us is that when God gives us a promise, we need to see that promise. We can only do this in our imagination and our words. That is why it is important for us to renew our minds with the Word of God.
What promise are you believing God for this Christmas. It is time to see it.
Bless you and keep living the life God intended.
Karen
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