RISE UP, SHEPHERDS!
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20
I’m going to take you back in time, to a very special Christmastime at our little church in rural Illinois. We gathered around a fire outside in the churchyard, carrying candle lanterns, to listen to an old man tell a story – a story of how when he was young the most amazing thing happened. His eyes lit up and his voice rose in excitement as he recounted his incredible story:
how when he and his friends were in the fields at night watching their sheep, an angel appeared and spoke to them:
“Don’t be afraid. I’m bringing you the most joyful news ever announced! The long awaited Messiah has been born tonight in Bethlehem. And this is how you will recognize him – he is the only baby in Bethlehem sleeping in a manger!”
And then he told us that hundreds of angels were suddenly all around them singing and praising God.
And then, just as suddenly, they were gone - and it was dark once more. Dark, so dark – except, except, except - for the star!
The old man beckoned to us and we followed him as he followed the star, singing together:
“There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn,
Rise up, shepherd and follow;
It will lead to the place where the Savior’s born,
Rise up, shepherd and follow.” (Traditional)
And so we followed the old man and the star on a path through the meadow, by some trees, down a dirt road to a little shed. And there, in that rough little place, we saw a man and beside him, a woman, sitting near an old hay manger, tending to a baby! We entered quietly, circling the scene, looking in awe – the promised One was here! And then the shepherd started to sing, and we joined in:
“What Child is this Who laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.” (Traditional)
And then the shepherd softly asked us, “And what is the child’s name?” and we joined him singing:
“His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty King, Master of everything,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He’s the Great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is He.
Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.” (Audrey Mieir)
And we all knelt down, there in that dirty little shed, and sang it again.
We stayed kneeling and in silence and awe for a holy moment – and then the old man suddenly lept up and excitedly beckoned to us to follow him outside. And he quickly started to sing, and we all loudly joined in:
“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere,
“Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.” (traditional)
And so we sang and ran and some of us even danced our way back to the church, back to the present.
Back to the present – no angels, no star, no shepherd, no baby – but something more: a burning desire in my heart to do as the shepherds did that long-ago night and recklessly follow, not the star, but He whose name is wonderful.
Prayer: All my days, Lord, keep me following in your Way.
-- Lyn Fitz
