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Word to the Wise

Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 3rd Week of Advent - Tues

[Zeph 3:1-2, 9-13 and Matt 21:28-32]
"They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them." [Zephaniah]

 

     When you set up the nativity scene in your Christmas decorating, don't leave out the shepherds and sheep.  They aren't just decorations!  The shepherds and sheep are the first to receive the news of Jesus' birth.  They represent the poorest of God's Chosen people because they (the shepherds) were considered among the lowest on the social ladder.  Zephaniah the prophet in today's first scripture speaks of God leaving "a remnant in your midst, a people humble and lowly" who "shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them." 

     We don't have to look far to realize that despite the low social standing of shepherds, Jesus takes on their identity in the Gospel of John ("I am the good shepherd.")  Psalm 23 is probably the one most people know who rarely glance at the Bible. ("The Lord is my shepherd.")  In the "synoptic gospels" (Matthew, Mark and Luke) Jesus uses shepherd imagery to describe God's care and determination to go after the lost sheep. 

     The shepherds and sheep take our place in the scene.  How do we receive the news of Jesus' birth?  Maybe we don't have a host of heavenly powers singing in our bedrooms and scaring us.  Nevertheless, the nativity scene is the same announcement those original shepherds received.  They went to find out and then announced the good news to others.  That's our job too!  Make sure they are in the scene!  AMEN


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