One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Story in the story of the shepherds “keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8 NKJV).
I can almost see it in my mind’s eye. A soft light bathes the rolling hills around Bethlehem. Countless sheep dot the grass-covered slopes and, nearby, a group of shepherds sit around a fire, talking in hushed tones about the promise of the Messiah.
It’s an idyllic scene, but probably not an accurate one. A shepherd’s life is not an easy one. Up at the crack of dawn, he heads out into the fields while frost still covers the grass. He spends his day guiding some of the dumbest animals on earth, keeping them from danger, tending their wounds, keeping them headed in the right direction. By evening he’s exhausted, barely able to crawl into his blankets, falling asleep on the hard ground.
It’s a difficult life, but one he welcomes, because he loves his sheep. Willing would he lay down his life for them (John 10:11). No matter the hardship or the sleepless nights, the shepherd faithfully does his duty, protecting his wooly charges from danger, guiding them down the right path.
We each are called to “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be…” (1 Peter 5:2 NIV). We are to care for their needs, protect them from harm, and lead them to Jesus.
The Marine Corp motto is “Semper fidelis”, which means, “always faithful’. This also could have been the motto of the shepherds on Bethlehem’s hills. My prayer is it will be our motto too. While we wait for Christ’s return, may He find us everyday doing our duty, caring for His sheep, “always faithful” until He comes.
God bless and have a wonderful day!