Night Shepherd

We come today, full of gratitude and faith-energized, as we see the illuminations in us that bring us back to who shepherds us. Reignited and rekindled in us so far, are these most glorious Advent Lights.

We are shepherded by none other than Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Made ever bright in us is that our Lord, in shepherding us, never leaves it up to us to find pasture-land for ourselves. He shepherds us to be in the same place where He is so that we are not living one place and He in another. He has given up lots, just for our safety and happiness. He never ever leads us into fields that are for our harm and detriment. Having highlighted these we rush on to be lit up with even more precious illuminations. 

Third Light of Sight and Insight to be switched on in us, in changing all dimness in heart and soul is this absolutely brilliant, encompassing and enabling light. And there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2: 8.

There is so much shining down upon us here that we do not even know where to focus our sight first. Without procrastinating, without waiting and without any standing on ceremony, the word night leaps out at us. The word night, speaks to many of us of deep darkness, shivering coldness, unnerving fearfulness and bitter helplessness. Night seems to be the time when evil things tend to happen to sheep, as night predators wait for the natural cover of darkness and sleep, to ply their trade.

The text stipulated night, and in that information it has been made extremely clear that those shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night. The text does not emphasize either morning or noon, but night. What are we seeing? For one thing, the flock is not alone in the dark, in those fields. They are shepherded by shepherds who do not leave them to fend for themselves when darkness comes. While the sheep sleep at night, the shepherds keep watch, taking turns at staying awake. The shepherd is awake in the night hours while the sheep peacefully sleep.

Is this not a most life-assuring reminder, that we are shepherded by our Good Shepherd, who never sleeps in the dark hours of our days? Can you picture a night scene, where the animals are asleep and the shepherds are there, awake, alert and watching? The shepherds know, if even the sheep do not know, that this is the time for them to be most vigilant in the shepherding of their flock. No sheep is up in the night trembling with uncontrollable fear of the wolf that will come. They have so much trust, confidence, faith and belief in the wisdom, astuteness, power and authority of their shepherd, they can peacefully sleep in the night.

How are we hushed! Holy Spirit, I need this light to be reborn in me please, so that I can know peace in my night hours. Let me know the rest and calm of knowing that You are awake, watching and protecting me, so that I can live in the obedience of this word. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12: 32.

There is another Advent light in this verse, which must, by no means, be seen as the least. Yes, we have touched upon it, but I want to give it a bit more brightness. Here is the text with its many illuminations. And there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. The phrase, keeping watch, speaks many things to us and brings many different images, both good and bad. However, when used in the context of the shepherd, there are three sights before us. Already mentioned is the watching because of animal predators such as lions and wolves. But there is a night watching for this reason also. I have been reliably informed that often, these animals tend to have their young in the night hours, and sheep are very delicate, not as hardy as goats, for example.

The shepherd has to be most vigilant to assist the sheep and help the new-born lambs, especially on cold wintry nights. What does it shine out to us? In our times of darkness, when we would bring forth or give birth to a word of faith, encouragement or strength, some strength of faith, there are the chilling winds for example, which come to weaken us and take away the courageous good we would bring forth.

Our Shepherd, so shepherds us, He knows all our weak moments. When we would simply break down and give in to the predators of darkness, His watchfulness is our only hope and assurance for He sees us and comes to us, even when we are unable to go to Him.