Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah
New Testament Lesson: Luke 2:8-20

I cannot feel my toes. Move them around some, make them warm themselves up. Lord it is so cold out here. Clear night--the worst kind. The clearer it is the colder it is. There is a million stars out there. My toes, and my fingers. Cold. And I am hungry. My stomach is rumbling. I am so hungry. Isn't it ironic. I am cold and I am hungry. And where am I? With a bunch of sheep. Wool and lamb chops. Right before me under my care and I am so hungry and cold. For me this is just a night job. It's a second income. I am not a shepherd as my primary occupation--its just a part-time, night time position. The night shift pays more you know. No, these are not my sheep. I would not want to have them. Sheep are difficult animals.

There brains must be the size of seeds or something. Unruly creatures--that's for sure. They walk around in circles bumping into each other. And the noise is deafening. If I have to listen to them much longer I think I might just loose it altogether. ...but its a job. The keeper of the sheep. Ooo--could I go for a sandwich, or some bread or wine or something. I'm am starved. I stopped by home on the way out here to this lonely hill---but my dear wife had not packed me any food. The other sheep herding slobs say she should know her place and I should teach it to her.

Easy for them to say as they chow down. I'm not that type of guy. I know my wife is busy too. She is now a working girl. She is working in town at one of the inns. Its been really busy these days with so many people in town. And we can use the money. I'm working day and night and she is working too. Oh, Lord, I pray that good times are a coming. Please Lord, please sooner than later.

We are saving to buy our own house. Please Lord, please sooner not later. I don't think I can handle living with her parents and brothers and sisters and their families much longer. Its making me crazy. All they do is bicker back and forth. There is never a minute's peace.

I never have any time for myself. Well that's not entirely true I suppose. Lately I have had the Sabbath mornings to myself. I have been staying home while everyone else goes to Temple. She wants me to go, but I don't want to go. I work all week, I deserve some time to rest and relax. After all, didn't God say it was to be a day of rest. All right then, I rest. All I have to do is look at her with my big brown sleepy eyes and say, "Aw honey, I was up all night long tending the sheep. I can't get up---will you let me sleep?" Then I give her that really sad look.
Works every time. They go to Temple. I stay home. Nice and warm in bed. No noise. Just me at home resting.

Now don't get me wrong, its not that I am opposed to the Temple service. Its just that it's the same thing every week. Rabbi keeps talking about our observing of the laws---we do that. And he goes on and on about the Messiah who will come. Well, if he's going to come then come on. Quit talking about it and lets see it happen. Action already!

A Savior of the world. Lord, don't take this wrong - but you want to save something - forget about the world----try saving my feet and my hands, and my stomach too. Save me from working all the time. Save me from my hum-drum, ho-hum existence. Save me from the reality that this is all there is to life. Ah, those wonderful mornings in bed.

I am freezing.

Look at them. They sit there stuffing their faces. Do they offer me anything. Of course not. Some friends they are. The fat slobs----I hope they choke.

Oh, the stars really are bright tonight. Look at that one there. I've never seen a star that bright. Oh, and over there a shooting star. "Star light, star bright--I wish upon a star tonight." Nope. Still here. Still cold. Still hungry.

***

Wooow! Ahhhh - oh YHWH-----you going to save us it better be now. What is happening?

Earthquake?? Aliens?? What is happening? Its lighter than day now. Its so bright. And its like, like brighter than sunlight. And its warm too. I don't know what it is, but my toes like it. Wait a second here, I must be dreaming. Look, I can see forms---like well, like angels. Ascending up and down. Dancing all around me. I must be dreaming. I'm delirious from hunger. I'm standing up dreaming now. Or am I, my dreams have never felt this real before. And I wouldn't include these sheep folks in my dreams---not unless it was a nightmare. I'm getting out of here. "Do not be afraid." Yeah, right. Out of no where in the middle of the night, and I shouldn't be afraid. This has never happened to the likes of me before. "Glory to God in the highest. Good news. Great joy. A Savior born for us in the city. A Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord. In a stable. Wrapped in bands of cloth." What amazing words---- its weird. It's the words that the Rabbi used. A Messiah. But as a baby? And for me? "For you" that's what they said, "for you." I'm just a regular guy. We are shepherds, not religious types. Come on, we are shepherds, not stockbrokers, or lawyers, or the rich and famous.

We're shepherds. "For you" that IS what they said. I have to see this.

***

It really is a baby. It really is in a manger. It really is wrapped in bands of cloth. I don't understand all this. But this I know. For some reason, in a justice that is beyond my comprehension---this---this birth has been announced to me. His mother said, "My soul magnifies the Lord." I say that too, "My soul magnifies the Lord." How can I help but give praise. Here I am witnessing this amazing moment. Seeing right before my eyes the beginning. The newness. The birth of a baby---a Messiah. A Savior. Oh Lord, you do save. You save me from my hopelessness. You save me from my loneliness.

Just when I was complaining about my existence. I gripe. I complain. I think I've gotten a raw deal in life. And right there and then. You show me the light. Not the light in the sky---but light in my heart---through the baby. What joy just to be here - joy born in the baby. O God, great God on high. You love me. You birth love in me. Through the child. Through the Messiah. You have saved me from myself. Maybe that is what I am supposed to learn----that it isn't about me. This whole life isn't about me and what I want and what I don't have and what I, I, I, I..... Huh uh - no - this whole life is about you. Its about you. Its about YOU - not me. Its about figuring out the fact that you love me. That you love me when I'm praising you in the temple and when I'm thinking about my cold feet. You love me all the time. No matter what. That's what this baby says. Love that does not end. That's the gift of this child.

Oh YHWH----help me to accept that gift. Help me to do it now when I am feeling so good and close to you. And Great God help me to accept the reality of your never ending love even in those moments when I don't feel upbeat and positive. In all of life. I'm just a regular guy and your love has grabbed me. You are for regular people. I praise your name. My feet might be cold - my stomach might be empty. My life may not be all I ever hoped it would be. But, But, But I see your love - I see it in Jesus - I see it in my heart. My soul magnifies you. All is calm, all is bright. Your love, it satisfies my hunger---it warms me.

Amen.