The Lodestar

The shepherds play an indispensable role in the nativity plays. Little children love to act as shepherds holding staves positioned by the manger's side.

The original shepherds, sleeping on the pastures outside the tiny town of Bethlehem, were bewildered by the angel's unusual appearance, which awakened them not only by his bright light but also by his message.

The true joy of Christmas requires divine assistance. The angel distanced himself from the event of Christ's birth as the joy of the birth was not for him but "for you" for humanity. But the angels announced the event and directed them to celebrate it. The angelic appearance was in two parts: one woke up the shepherds and announced the good news; two, a heavenly choir followed up by singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14). In other words, the angels cued the music that the baffled shepherds should sing.

Christmas is a time of celebration for all. Modern culture has pushed Jesus Christ and the reason for his birth to the periphery and sometimes entirely out of the celebration. But we must celebrate the reason for Christmas—that the Saviour of the world, God's Messiah, is born, who must rule the hearts of all. But that is possible only with God's help.

Help is available for those who ask. "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…" (John 1:12).

The angels can only prompt the music; unless we pick up, the music fades away and dies. 

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