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A small lamb had caught the old shepherd’s attention as it carelessly wandered down a lone trail.
The glimmer of light from a quarter moon allowed the seasoned veteran to keep an eye on the adventurous little one from his place on a nearby rocky perch.
His younger cohorts lay silently next to the fire, attempting to get some needed shut eye.
The mother to the little lamb looks up from grazing and sees him sniffing around the trail and shuttles down to encourage it back near the flock.
No sooner does she corral the lamb does a subtle but clearly recognizable growl come from a pack of wolves nearby.
The old shepherd quickly awakens the others, and they add a few pieces of wood to the coals flickering nearby.
Now, very much alert, the shepherds keep a sharp eye on their flock and dimly lit rocky hills close by.
Perhaps to stay awake they would divert their attention away from the earthly to gaze up into the heavenly, viewing the varying formations of stars.
The galaxies above were no doubt breathtaking.
Noticeably one star seemed to shine much brighter than the others, as a matter of fact it was getting brighter and brighter.
And that’s when it happened.
I stood on some of the very same hills outside of Bethlehem a few years ago thinking about the nomadic shepherds and what it was like for an angel, then an entire host to suddenly appear and make bold proclamations to lowly shepherds.
Not exactly golden trumpets, laurels of green, and thousands of admirers, as was the custom of welcoming royalty in those days.
No, just a few old grimy sheepherders greeted with the news of the ages, “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
God’s not really into the red carpet entrance with all the pomp and circumstances, gaggles of reporters and oodles of gawkers.
No, he’s more interested in serving than being served.
No planned press conference or big announcements on the horizon. Just refreshingly simple.
Before the days of satellites beaming down their messages from the heavens, God pre-empted technology by sending an angel faster than the speed of a laser, accompanied with a beam of glory to light up the place.
The shepherds would not be mistaking this appearance for some alien from wherever.
No, not only was the message clear, the messenger was as well. “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
Now, that was good news to these guys as well as to all of us because they were not usually considered a vital part of the people equation, if you know what I mean.
God was obviously sending a message that you can be too good to get to him, but to the far reaches of society this news was certainly good news because it was inclusive — for everyone.
And that includes me and you.
A swaddling cloths confirmation was given to the shepherds to help their dubious minds to affirm what they had just heard and seen and what they would soon witness inside a cave.
They felt right at home, I’m sure.
After their July 4th fireworks experience in the cold of the winter season, they quickly put out the fire, herded their flock in the direction of Bethlehem and began their search for the prophetic messiah and the swaddling cloths.
These shepherds obviously knew every grotto, dive and hangout in and around Bethlehem. But I sort of think they had a little help that night finding the baby Jesus.
We are told the angels had gone away, but I can’t help but believe they might have left a little of the glory spotlight around to guide them on their way.
Or maybe, just maybe that star the wise men latter followed to find this amazing couple with the newborn gave a little guidance to these earnest sheepherders who were among those at the top of the grapevine pecking order around town.
You talk about some happy fellows, these men left the grotto glorifying and praising almighty God gratefully for what they had been made benefactors of.
The news of the ages.
Centuries of prophecies were fulfilled right before their very eyes.
They told and retold the story so many times, it could be recited in their sleep.
A savior supreme, Jesus Christ, the Son of God — his less than amazing arrival was heralded by none other than simple shepherds.
Randy Sheridan of Burleson is a speaker, counselor andmediator.
He can be reached at drsheridan@aol.com.
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