‘Tis the Season . . . for Shepherds

December 10th, 2012

‘Tis the season to remember again that which no season should forget. I’m always grateful when it arrives.

Again this year we unboxed our creche, the one we got in some Mexico City market many years ago. (Or was it Tlaquepaque, outside of Guadlajara?) Though some arms are missing and wings fallen off, Anne’s got it arranged better than ever inside a relic cabinet from India. I’ve always admired the delicate look and attention to detail on the bisque fired clay. And that’s not to mention the scene it represents, sentimental as it is.

The shepherds are there, reminiscent of the real ones, also made of clay, though breathed with life.

There they are, gazing in wide-eyed wonder . . . not so much at the baby, but for what they’d just beheld . . . glorified beings ripping open the sky and announcing a wonder not to miss.

Wonder it was that it was revealed at all, but particularly revealed to them. Shepherds!

Shepherds, out-door dwellers, months-unbathed bottom-rungers . . . but not overlooked, and that’s the point, as no one is from heaven.

Shepherds, the sort of which would not be welcome anywhere indoors, but here at home among the beasts. Perhaps that’s why the Christ was born outside.

Or maybe so nothing would obstruct heaven’s view.

Yet, there’s reason more: There was a king, years before, who’d been a shepherd first. He’d risen to greatness and been given promise that from his line would the greatest come. And that in Bethlehem.

So, shepherds, the time has come; you’re all welcome here.

But wait, there’s more. Both shepherds and kings and all between: You’re more like sheep than you know.

And the baby you’re gawking at, your shepherd he’s become.

 

______________
Currently in Seattle.
Next: The Wisemen

12 Comments

  1. Cindy Smith Dec 11, 2012
    5:37 am

    I am that sheep so in need of my Shepherd/King.

  2. Barbara Mosten Dec 11, 2012
    6:19 am

    Thank you, Hyatt! Merry Christmas!

  3. Judy Dec 11, 2012
    7:16 am

    Hyatt-I love this, I posted you on facebook for my friends to read–I know a lot of ‘sheep’ and ‘shepherds’ ;)

  4. Sister Lori Dec 11, 2012
    7:37 am

    Love this so much. Well-put and lovely!

  5. Traci Gales Dec 11, 2012
    8:26 am

    Wow–my profound and amazing thought for the day: no one is overlooked from heaven!! Thank you for that beautiful reminder, Hyatt!

  6. lisa hoyt Dec 11, 2012
    8:43 am

    Wonderful Hyatt! Thank you for yet again a different angle to see and BE the reason for the season! Best! Lisa

  7. Bill & Judy Lambright Dec 11, 2012
    8:44 am

    We like the Shepherds keeping the sheep near Bethlehem need constant guarding by the Great, Good Shepherd now, and in the coming New Year! Thanks for the focus on The Shepherd Hyatt… Blessed Christmas to you and your Family.
    PS If you are in Seattle I’ll come to visit… we live about 30 minutes north.

  8. wayne Dec 11, 2012
    8:52 am

    Thank you, Hyatt. Merry Christmas.

  9. Sue Donaldson Dec 11, 2012
    10:09 am

    I loved that painting of the angels you did several years ago – for your card – do you now have one for the lowly and brave shepherds? you might post the angel one just so your new blog people can appreciate.

  10. Norm Dec 11, 2012
    10:19 am

    The single-most revered and celebrated event in all of human history … His-story. Holiday blessings your way across the miles, Hyatt!

  11. Suszanne Bernat Droney Dec 11, 2012
    12:38 pm

    Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Thank you for your blank Slate postings. They’re the best.

  12. carmen Dec 12, 2012
    7:08 am

    Hyatt, maybe shepherds are not distracted with the hurries of life and easily receive heavenly messages because they are forever gazing upward when resting in the evening after tending to their sheep. Merry Christmas Hyatt and Ann