by Antonio Gallardo
As I continue to reflect upon the scriptures for this season around the conception and birth of Jesus, a group of characters have been standing out for me lately like they have not done it before, the Shepherds. I have read about, and heard about, many reflections about Joseph, Mary and Jesus’ stories, but I have not heard not equally as many stories about “The Shepherds.”
To me, the shepherds are people that I can relate more to. I think that they are regular people like you and I, not presented in the scriptures as doing or being asked to do, something incredible or heroic as Mary and Joseph. God met them just where they were, shepherding.
Imagine these shepherds, like you and I, doing our regular daily activities, and then having someone saying to you: “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) What would your reaction be to such encounter? I may have to pinch myself to make sure that I am not dreaming about it.
In 2016 It is very unlike that you and I are shepherds by trade, and still, we have worldly duties that we do daily to put food on the table, to care for our families, and to help those more in need. Also, more than 2,000 later the good news from God are still relevant, and available to all of us; not necessarily delivered by angels with wings and in perfect outfits, but certainly through the living word of God, and the people that we interact with on a regular basis. I can assure you that if we have an open heart, someone this season will have “good news of great joy” for us.
As we continue to prepare to celebrate the birthday of our Savior Jesus, let us give Jesus the very best gift that we can give him, sharing with others the good news that we have received, and that are not for us to keep. Let’s follow, through our words and our actions, the example of the shepherds so that everyone that receive the good news from us is simply “amazed.”– “When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2:17-18)
