Meditations In the Christmas Story – While Shepherds Watch - Tempus ut Vigilet

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

“And there were in the same country shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night.”

The Lamb of God arrives in a cattle shed.  The birth could pass unnoticed and unknown.  The Advent of Christ could have come and gone without anyone being the wiser. 

But the Lamb of God will have shepherds as his first visitors.  The men who care for sheep in the field practice vigilance in the darkness.  I imagine them attempting to stay warm, keep alert, and discussing the odd star that makes the constellation of the ram wink.  I ponder if they knew enough to consider what it meant that the King’s Star, the Mogen David, was in the constellation of Israel.  

The Passover, where the lamb comes into the story, begins with the question.  It asks “why is this night different from every other night?”  I must not let Christmas become like every other night in any way.  I must remember the full cost of the celebration.  I must keep watch for all that can become of this night that is different from ever night. 

I must not forget that the suddenness of the change for the shepherds occurred whilst they were being vigilant in their duty.  To them this night was like any other except for the Star.  Their attention might have been on the news of the taxing and travel of so many.  Still to them it was another night on the outskirts of Bethlehem not different from any other night.  Then suddenly…

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night –

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,

And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread

Had seized their troubled minds;

"Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind. "To you, in David's town, this day,

Is born of David's line

A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;

And this shall be the sign:

The heavenly Babe you there shall find

To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swaddling-bands

And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph,--and forthwith

Appeared a shining throng

Of angels, praising God, who thus

Addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high,

And to the earth be peace;

Good will henceforth from Heaven to men

Begin and never cease."

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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