by Rev. Julie G. Hutson
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. -Luke 2:8
Of all of the characters in the cast of the nativity story, I wonder the most about the shepherds. After all, they were not like the magi, who were expecting the Messiah to come. And they weren’t like Mary and Joseph who clearly knew that something wondrous was happening. No, the shepherds were just out in the fields, where they lived, with their sheep. They were watching over them by night because that is when the sheep were the most vulnerable to predators like wolves and foxes.
When the Kingdom breaks in, when Jesus is clearly present among us, we are very often, like the shepherds, going about our daily tasks. And the challenge for us is to be aware! Be alert! Watch! This has been the theme of Advent and now we know why. Because a child has come into the world who will change everything. And this Jesus, whose birth we celebrate today, will come again! Watch!
Blessed Christmas to you, dear people of God.