The journey for Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem is almost over. It is only a few miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The route takes them past Rachel's Well and a time to remember when Jacob and his family passed this way.
They would continue past the Shepherd's Field, where sheep would be gently feeding under the eyes of caring shepherds. Mary and Joseph would have no reason to know that later they would meet these shepherds face to face. They would have no reason to know these shepherds would be the very first to understand what they would know-that the Savior had been born who is Christ the Lord! They would have no reason to know the message would be given to them by a whole host of angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest!" (Luke 2:14a)
Mary and Joseph also would have had no way of knowing their Son would later declare Himself "the good shepherd" (John 10:11a). He would not be a hireling that would run away when the wolf comes. He would be the Good Shepherd who "lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11b). And those "sheep" are you, me, and the whole world.
THE PRAYER: May our Lord bless our passing by the ordinary events of our lives on our way to Bethlehem to join the shepherds at the manger to worship the Christ Child! Amen.
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