Each year I celebrate the Christmas story by reading the accounts in both Matthew and Luke. It is beyond our comprehension culturally to imagine the gulf between the Magi and the Shepherds. The Magi were men of such importance that a meeting with King Herod was unsurprising, and their access to halls of power in Jerusalem was immediate. Those traveling with gifts and gold still see doors open in most of our cultures around the world. These men were searching for one worthy of worship, and when they found Jesus they laid the gifts at His feet.
Many years ago at the Ranch my dad insisted I raise sheep. I won best in show at 4H and in my hours of work to get my sheep to obey simple commands, I learned more about why God calls us sheep and why being a shepherd is a challenging and often dirty and humbling job. The Shepherds in the Christmas story were likely guarding ceremonial lambs because of the location of the flocks. These lambs were part of a long history of sacrificial pictures to point toward the Lamb of God, who came to take away the sin of the world. As the Shepherds lived with and cared for the sheep, they knew they were not long for this world. How painful to consider the sin that caused the precious and sinless Savior to suffer and die for us.
We see in these two Christmas accounts a place for all of us. Some of you are reading this and have been blessed to steward tremendous gifts. Doors open for you and you are often asked to give to the idols our culture sets up as worthy as worship. Sometimes people seek to use you for their purposes like Herod with the Magi. By following the Savior and giving your gifts to Him, you experience the worship that glorifies God. Some of you not only lack fame, you have been called to faithful work that is hard and causes sleepless nights. You pour your time into care for those who are often caught in a cycle of destruction. Yet a heavenly herald calls to you. A Savior has been born! His love is for you, and you are called to share the good news of the birth that changed everything.
Whether you resemble the Magi or the Shepherds I pray that this Christmas season your heart is filled with joy and gratitude that the Savior has come, the one who is worthy of all our worship, the one whose death brings us life. May you experience awe and wonder and joy yet again as you think back to Bethlehem.
Merry Christmas!
Clayton Wood
Executive Director
