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A Shepherds Model for Joy to the World

Merry Christmas Day to you all. Let's read the timeless story and muse on what is next.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.


All over the earth - whether known or unknown - we can say “joy to the world, for unto YOU is born this day…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.  We embrace the Joy of Christmas when we realize God has come for me…for you…for us.  It was not to Kings, to Herod, to his court, to the rich and powerful, Israel’s elite, but to Shepherds - people who pulled the night shift - that the message comes:  “unto you is born this day…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.
You have come along with me on this Advent journey, and now what…is it over and we go back to our routines, whatever they may be.  No, I would suggest that the model of the Shepherds should be ours also:  “the shepherds returned (to work), glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”  They went back to work with hearts changed by the Savior who has come. 
Martin Luther wrote -  
That there were shepherds, means that no one is to hear the Gospel for himself alone, but everyone is to tell it to others who are not acquainted with it. For he who believes for himself has enough and should endeavor to bring others to such faith and knowledge, so that one may be a shepherd of the other, to wait upon and lead him into the pasture of the Gospel in this world, during the nighttime of this earthly life.” 

Let others know what we have come to know, that to “us” a Savior has come and if we will, then surely there will be Joy to the world…Merry Christmas.


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