Loading...Sermon December 25, 2016
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, LSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen, Newport, PA
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:20
Please be seated.
I’ve never been backpacking. It’s just not something that’s ever been appealing to me. I’ve camped in a tent in some remote places, which was astoundingly beautiful. But even tent camping and sleeping on the ground was not my favorite way to be in nature. I’d rather have a cabin.
And a number of times in my life, I’ve provided transport for backpackers. One year some friends decided to backpack from our camping site in Maryland near Harper’s Ferry up to the Mechanicsburg area. They were using the Appalachian Trail. I can’t remember now how long of a trip that is…at least a week. I do remember, however, picking them up… The smell is awful!!!
I was living with my parents at the time and when we got to their home, all of their camping gear was left outside, while they went in to take showers. This was followed by dumping their clothes into the washing machine. Imagine 7-10 days hiking every day, sitting around a campfire with access to very little water to bathe. Certainly gives one an appreciation for our running water and at least living close to a river.
I remembered this, because in our gospel for Christmas this year, it is shepherds that hear the great news of Jesus’ birth…of this new thing happening on the earth. Shepherds!
Sheep were very important in ancient Palestine. They were probably one of the first animals to be domesticated. They provided wool, milk, and meat, among other things. They were used as a medium of exchange in commerce. They were part of the sacrificial system of religion. While being fairly tame, they are also in need of constant attention and care. Thus, the role of shepherd was particularly important in protecting this vital resource for the community.
Israel is pretty rocky and has lots of caves. The shepherds would watch the sheep graze on the hillsides during the day and then at night, bring them into a cave. Sometimes a group of shepherds would bring their sheep into one cave together. They’d take turns keeping watch and protecting all of the sheep. The next morning, each shepherd would call their particular flock of sheep to go back into the field to graze.
The region is fairly dry, so you can imagine access to water for bathing was limited. In addition, sleeping night after night with the animals added an additional element.
Yet, it is to these smelly, probably somewhat dirty workers that the message of the Messiah’s birth is delivered. It is these shepherds who go at once to see the baby Jesus…who are Jesus’ first visitors.
God being God could have chosen anyone to come visit the newborn…maybe some who at least had water to wash their faces, hands and feet and oil for their bodies as was the custom of the time… maybe some who kept all of the ritual laws of the religion, including ritual baths… maybe the priests. Instead God sends the workers from the fields. They did not own the sheep. They probably got very little profit from the sheep, but without them, the sheep would have been lost. The shepherds were vitally important.
Jesus Christ was sent by God to us to challenge our view of the world. Jesus Christ challenged the people of his time 2000 years ago through inviting the shepherds to be the first to visit Him. Jesus Christ challenges us in our time 2000 years later!
Who are those workers who are so vital to our lives? Who are those that might think differently or see the world differently from us? Who are those that might look or live differently from us? Who are those who appear to be outsiders and not part of our group? Who are those that make us feel uncomfortable?
Sometimes, but not always, they are the shepherds who have received the message of Jesus’ birth and have come to share it with us. May we be like Mary who welcomed the shepherds. And may we be like the shepherds who upon seeing Jesus, glorified and praised God.
Amen
