Jesus is adored by the shepherds Luke 2: 8-20
Imaginative Contemplation
Bethlehem was surrounded by fields, where shepherds kept watch throughout the night. An angel appeared to them, and they were terrified. But the angel reassured them, telling of the birth of Jesus, who was to change the world. Then more angels appeared, praising God. The shepherds hurried off to find the child with Mary and Joseph. Mary pondered all these things in her heart.
Enter into the scene
Since Mary’s pregnancy, I had been calling in each day to see how she was. Then the news spread through our town of Nazareth that the Emperor had ordered a census of all the people, and that the method of fulfilling this census was that everyone was obliged to return to the town of their family’s origin. Joseph, being of the House of David, would need to travel to Bethlehem, quite a distance away.
When I reached Joseph’s house, I realised that Joseph and Mary were both preparing to go to Bethlehem. Joseph’s family had left Bethlehem generations ago, so they had no close relatives there.
With a baby on the way, packing what was needed for the journey was quite a job. I was surprised that Joseph and Mary were so calm about this disruption in their lives. Earlier in the day, I had heard so many of our neighbours criticising the village authorities and reacting with anger and frustration. Yet most of them were fairly well off and had good connections in Bethlehem.
Mary was tired after packing up what was needed, with anticipation that the birth of the baby might happen any time soon. As we sat at rest, she said, ‘I know this is a big ask, but would it be possible for you to come with us? I don’t think I can manage without you.’
I was taken aback. I hadn’t thought about my own obligation to go to Bethlehem, but, yes, way back, my family had moved to Nazareth, and like Joseph and Mary, I had no close connections in the town. What about my family’s plans? My two older brothers would be able to work out what was best for them and my parents. Where was the greater need? Obviously, Mary needed extra help. So I said to Mary that yes, I would go with her, but that I would have to go home now and tell my family of my plans.
We set out the following morning, with Mary and the luggage on one donkey, and Joseph and I sharing the second donkey. It was a slow journey. After a few hours, I was exhausted, yet there were no complaints from my companions. The road was long and dusty, and many people passed us on the way. I was beginning to wonder whether we would ever get to Bethlehem.
A turn in the road showed us the village spread out before us, and we also saw hundreds of people ahead of us. A fear gripped my heart… Where are we going to stay? There isn’t enough room for all of us. I could sense Joseph’s growing anxiety as he came to the first Inn. As expected, there was no room, and the person at the door said that there was no room at any of the places in Bethlehem. As Joseph was beginning to turn away, a young servant maid noticed Mary and said to the door-keeper. ‘This woman needs shelter now. Can’t we open the barn for her? The door-keeper looked at Mary and his eyes filled with compassion.’ ‘Sophie, you go with these two people and do what needs to be done. Don’t worry about your work here. We’ll see to that!’
The barn was empty, and to my surprise, it was quite clean. I found a large box attached to the wall, used as a manger for the sheep in wet weather. Someone had put clean straw there, and I could see that this would be a good place for the baby when it was born.
Sophie was with Mary now, and it was obvious that the birth was imminent. Sophie sent me back to the Inn to get a bowl of water and some towels. I was so pleased that she seemed to know what to do for Mary. As I returned, I heard a baby’s cry, the first breath of his life. I was overwhelmed with a sense of the sacred. New life, this new life! What would the future hold?
Mary was exhausted. Joseph and Sophie cleaned up after the birth, and I had the privilege of placing the child, now wrapped in a warm blanket, on the straw in the manger.
We had been resting for a few hours. Night had fallen. Suddenly we were woken by the sound of voices outside the barn door. Joseph got up to see who was there. Three shepherds were arguing. ‘No, the baby wouldn’t be here. We must have got the instructions wrong.’ “But we were told that we would find the child lying in a manger, and this is a barn. Let’s at least have a look.’
And there they were, these three men, talking of a vision of angels who had led them to this place to witness to this special child, heralded by the angels.
And Mary wondered, remembering the birth of John, Zechariah’s child, and now this child, blessed by God, God’s gift to the world!
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Who were these shepherds? What were they like?
How did this angel appear to them?
Why were they terrified of him?
How did the angel calm the shepherds?
What was his message?
Has this message got anything to do with us today?
What was it like when the other angels appeared? How did they change the shepherds?
The shepherds listened and responded to the angels’ message. How do I listen to God and respond? How does God speak to me?
How do you think the shepherds reacted to finding the child in such poverty?
What did Mary ponder in her heart?
Prayer
‘The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.’ Thank you, Lord, for being with us in today’s world. Strengthen my faith in your loving presence. Amen.