John 10:14-16
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
Our neighbors raised sheep. When sheering time came the
fluffy creatures lined up, marched to the barnyard, and took turns getting
haircuts. When the wool fell to the ground, the sheep didn’t seem to mind. They
trusted their keepers. At Christmas time I set out the Fischer Price nativity
set for my grandchildren. Front and center stands a sweet little white sheep.
He looks happy to be part of the joyous occasion.
We see pictures and nativity sets with the shepherd and
their sheep at Jesus crib. Perhaps they took some of them. I doubt the whole
flock went to see the baby. Years later, when Jesus preached his message of
salvation he didn’t want “sheep” left behind. He wanted all the people to
follow him. Jesus is the good shepherd, the one who laid down his life for his
sheep. Unlike the lambs, ewes and bucks, I didn’t just line up and follow
Christ, instead I chose to accept him as the one who’d change me and give me
eternal life. As I celebrate Christmas, I am thankful for the baby who grew up
to become my shepherd. Praise God for the gift of his son.
I,too, am grateful for our Shepherd. Time to put up the "playable" nativity. ;-)
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