Four lessons from the shepherds on this Christmas Eve Escrito por: Daniel Calderón

As Christmas time approaches, many families begin to decorate their homes, and also to prepare the nativity scene in a special place, and without a doubt the main figures are the Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, but they are almost always accompanied by the figures of some, or sometimes quite a few, humble shepherds around them, and we could ask ourselves: How did they live this moment?

In chapter 2 of the Gospel according to Saint Luke, when the evangelist mentions the birth of Jesus, he gives us details about the participation of the shepherds in this miraculous event. That is why I would like to share some brief reflections on the Mystery of Christmas from the perspective of the humble shepherds of Bethlehem and the lessons they leave us for our lives.

1. On this Christmas Eve, God speaks to us all

« There were shepherds in that region sleeping in the open, taking turns to watch their flock by night. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For to you has been born this day in the town of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord ” (Lk 2:11).

God wanted this great event to be known initially to the shepherds, but what merit did the shepherds have to have this angelic manifestation? Perhaps none, and it is that, like all gifts from God, God does not manifest himself through our merits, but through his infinite and unconditional love for us. This is how he wanted to manifest himself that Christmas Eve to these shepherds, to those who were asleep and to those who were watching, because God wants to speak to everyone.

On this night, not even the most humble, nor the most sinful, has been forgotten by God. Today God wants to speak to each one of us; he wants to share a great joy with us all. Let us prepare our hearts in the best way to listen to him.

2. On this Christmas Eve, God shows us the path of humility

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger ” (Lk 2:12)

The angel reveals to us that God has chosen as a “sign” the humility of the manger and the fragility of a newborn. This sign shows that God Almighty makes himself fragile, humble, small, lowers himself and allows himself to be contemplated.

Through this revelation to the shepherds we realize that to receive this great news, not much is needed; in simplicity, in humility, and even in precariousness, we can also welcome this “great joy.” It is humility that helps us not to be distracted by the accessory, the superficial, the noise. Simplicity predisposes us in a better way to look at the essential, to focus our gaze well, so that our heart is oriented toward the newborn.

3. On this Christmas Eve, let us all go to meet Baby Jesus

«When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child. » (Lk 2:15)

The shepherds listen, but they also believe, they believe in something amazing, the news is so beautiful that their initial fear disappears, they want to rush to meet this newborn Child. It is amazing that these humble shepherds “went in a hurry”, that is, they suddenly stop what they were doing, they discover at that moment that there is something more urgent, something more valuable, something of greater priority in their lives, before which nothing else can come before. It is not worth asking ourselves

What are my priorities in life? Or even, What are my priorities on this Holy Night? What stops us from rushing to Baby Jesus?

4. On this Christmas Eve, God gives us great joy

” The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them .” (Lk 2:20)

After that beautiful moment of contemplation at the manger, the shepherds leave, but there is no doubt that their life experience has changed. They would surely go back to tending the flock, sleeping on the plain, and remaining humble shepherds, but now St. Luke tells us that they return glorifying and praising God. The encounter with the Child Jesus has changed them.

The shepherds return with the joy that it was worth leaving the whole night to contemplate the Child Jesus. The angel was right, this birth is a cause for great joy, and just as the shepherds we must return joyfully from the grotto of Bethlehem to announce to everyone the miracle of which we have witnessed. Let us communicate to others this great joy that a Child has been given to us.