Wonder at The King

The sermon series for the month of December has gone well so far! In this series we look at the coming of Jesus as it pertains to His birth. The title for the series “Advent” tells us that someone important is coming. In this weeks sermon we will see the account of the birth of the king from the perspective of the shepherds.

Often time when we read scripture we read what we read on the surface of the text but we often miss what is underneath. During my weekly study I thought to myself “Why did God choose shepherds to deliver this important message?” I have to be honest and tell you that I love what I came to find in my study efforts. I cannot wait to share this message of WONDER with you on this week. I encourage you to read ahead and take a look at the text for yourself. Luke 2:8-20. I will include more info below to get your hearts ready for what is coming this Sunday. God bless!

The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. “In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Sam. 17:34).”, Deane’s David.

Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.