Shepherds

The landscape of Romania was totally changed under the fierce regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu.  Villages were bulldozed and people moved into cities where they could be controlled.  Romania still has huge tracts of empty grasslands.  Farmers and herders use these public lands to graze cattle and sheep.  But because the land doesn’t belong to them, they can’t put up fences.  So, herders must use shepherds and sheepdogs to keep the flocks and herds contained.  A shepherd’s life is long stretches of boredom interrupted by moments of sudden emergencies.  A wild dog will creep in and snatch a little lamb if the shepherd is not vigilant.  And nighttime is the worst.  Darkness covers a slinking interloper.  Shepherds are left out of most social interaction because of their isolation.  But on the hillsides of Judea over two thousand years ago, the shepherds outside of Bethlehem were the first to hear of the new-born Messiah.  How thrilled they were to obey the angels and bring the news of the birth to their community!  They threw caution to the wind, left their flocks unattended, and hurried to the stable to view the Christ-Child.  I wonder, are we as keen on our focus?  Do we put the Christ-Child first and spread the good news of His birth?  The birth of Jesus is just as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago.