Shepherds Watch

A devotion for our church for Christmas Eve. 

Shepherds Watch

Luke 2:1-20

Paul Stroble 

Are you traveling this Christmas? We are not, but we used to. When Beth’s and my parents were alive, we’d visit her parents in the Chicago area, and also my parents in south-central Illinois. Some Christmas, we flew, but others, we lived close enough to drive. Driving on Christmas Day has an almost apocalyptic feel, because almost no one is out and about. A few gas stations and drug stores were open. I remember one time when we stopped at a truck-stop on the way to Chicago. A tent had been set up as a church for truckers who had time to attend a Christmas service. We miss our parents, but we don’t miss those long trips. 

Joseph and Mary had to make a long trip for the sake of an intrusive government degree. The story makes wonderful theological points to ponder.  

First, the story contrasts the might of the Roman Empire with the small event of the Savior’s birth. Remember how Genesis 10-11 details the peoples of the earth and then zeros in on Abram and Sarai, who from then on are the key focus of God’s plans. Baby Jesus and his parents have no authority. His parents do not even have enough privilege to gain a better place to stay. But God’s plans and power do not rely upon human standards of power. 

Second, the story positions Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, the city of David. As Micah 5:2 reads, 

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,

   who are one of the little clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

   one who is to rule in Israel,

whose origin is from of old,

   from ancient days.

The trip from Nazareth, however, was probably a three- or four-day trip. Mary and Joseph probably knew that the region would be crowded. I tend to think of the “inn” in modern terms, as if it were a hotel. But it was more like a shelter for people and animals, perhaps an extra space in someone’s home. So, a stable would not have seemed a cruel place to stay. 

There, Mary gave birth. Lately, folks on Facebook have been sharing a poem about Mary, reminding us of the humanness of birth. Giving birth is a messy, agonizingly painful, and medically dangerous thing for a woman to experience. We would take away some of the humanness of Mary and Jesus if we think of it as a quiet, easy event. 

Third, the visit to Bethlehem involves the shepherds of that region. Shepherds are honored in the psalms as people who cared for their sheep, knowing each sheep, and protecting them from dangers. But shepherds could be held in suspicion because they did not attend religious services and were unkempt from their earthy occupation. 

Once again, the authorities and powers of the world are implicitly contrasted to the lowliness of the shepherds. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not to be served (Mark 10:45). God’s angels appeared to them in a frightening arrival, lighting up the night. They assured the shepherds that they were chosen to visit the newborn Messiah. 

The shepherds returned to their flocks, praising God. Verse 19 tells us, “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” That is something we do each Christmas, too! We ponder the meaning of these wonderful events, and then we tell others what has happened. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, guide and bless us as we, too, “go to Bethlehem to see the child.” Amen.