The Sixteenth Day of Advent, 2016

Monday, December 12, 2016

  

And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God . . . .  And this One will be our peace.  Micah 5:4a, 5a

Years ago, I learned that sheep are not the smartest of creatures! Wallace (my husband) told me that when a flock of sheep is to be loaded on a vehicle for transportation to market, there is no pushing, shoving, or coaxing necessary. All you need to do is find one mature, pliant one and lean him quietly up the ramp. All the rest will just follow. I don’t like to think about their destination, but they go rather peacefully, with little hesitation once the leader has led the way.

I am sad to realize how much like a sheep I sometimes am, following someone without asking any questions. He seems to know where he is going, seems to have a certain peace about his journey. He goes, and I too willingly go after him. My goodness! How badly I need a Good Shepherd, who can prevent me from boarding some vehicle that will ultimately take me to my destruction!

How blessed we are that on that first Christmas God gave us a Shepherd we can trust, a Good Shepherd who will not only lead us safely through life but who will be our peace as we travel! Isn’t that what He promised? This one will be our peace.

Father, in the Old Testament, you taught about yourself, by telling us that you are Jehovah-shalom, the Lord our Peace. Thank you for this greatest of all gifts at Christmas, the Lord Jesus Christ who is my Peace. With the angels I sing about these good tidings of great joy! Amen

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.