Shepherds and kings – an interesting title for the Savior of the Nations. Shepherds are marginal folks, they are poor, homeless, and illiterate. We may wonder – are these the kind of folks we want watching our flocks by night? Does this image inspire confidence in us? Jesus, a shepherd. How strange to me.
The role of a King is masculine, powerful, authoritative, clever, and confident. A King is trusted, honored and revered. Isn’t it the king who protects its people, makes the difficult decisions, and keeps the store-rooms full of food and the Kingdom safe from foreigners, conquerors, and evil empires? Isn’t this the kind of Jesus we would want? When you think of Jesus is he a shepherd? A King?
The shepherd king – a different title. If Jesus were not a king would the wise-men from the East come to visit the baby in Bethlehem stall. Yet Jesus was marginal, simple, and poor. Could it be that Jesus is both – the one crown King of Kings and Lord of Lord and the Passover Lamb – the one who watches over the sheep, guiding and cajoling, caring and watching, protecting and showing them greener pastures and cleaner water? Could this baby, born in a stable be the Shepherd King? Could it be? How then shall I receive him?
Christmas is upon us and the question, what shall I give to the Shepherd King is part of the Christians struggle in this season of Advent. As I babble on about Shepherds and Kings, the Advent candles are lit and the Christ candle remains, unlit, untouched by human hands. Tonight under the cover of darkness the Shepherd King arrives and the world receives God's finest and greatest gift of all. How will we receive the Shepherd King? What gift do we bring? The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. What song do we hear? The song of the Shepherd King.
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