It might have been in the forties that night when "shepherds watched their flocks by night." Those of us who are familiar with sub-freezing December temperatures may not think that is particularly cold, but spend the night in the open with poor clothing and then comment. 
At the CBC Live Nativity our shepherds are only out in the field for a couple of hours. Still keeping them warm is a major concern.
From what I read about those who watched flocks, no one much cared if they were cold, or hungry, or comfortable. Sheep were an important part of the wealth of many citizens of the time. Shepherds cared for sheep. The animals represented money. Having shepherds was a necessary evil. Shepherds were ceremonially unclean. They were so low on the social ladder that if the only witness to a crime was a shepherd, you just couldn't make the case. The witness of shepherds was not to be trusted.
Who announces the birth of a king to the least esteemed people in the land? God does, because the King/Savior Who was born that night was bringing good news to all the people. The "peace" and "good will" that were proclaimed that evening were for all people--even shepherds.
That universality of the Gospel is still the case. The New Testament abounds with words like "whoever," and, "if any." We want our presentation of the Live Nativity to be available to all as well. That's one reason why we offer it as a gift. "God so loved the world that He gave. . . ." In that spirit we offer our presentation of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to our community.
 |
| From 6:00 - 8:00 nightly |
Come, bring your family, enjoy, learn. We pray it will be part of the reason some come to believe, or find their faith strengthened.
When the shepherds heard they came, and saw, and then went and told. As the song says, "over the hills and everywhere."
It's STTA.
No comments:
Post a Comment