Wait! It’s not Thanksgiving yet and we are talking about the Shepherds this Sunday? True. What greater thing to give thanks for than the fact that the Word became flesh to dwell among us? And the shepherds -- such heralds of this mighty action of God’s -- were ordinary guys who raised lambs for the temple sacrifice. They were the first, outside of His parents, to see the Lamb of God.
We are in long Advent -- the 8-week journey until Christmas. This season not only anticipates and celebrates the arrival of Jesus the first time but anticipates that this One who came will come yet again. As we do a bit of both, how might you mark this season? Have you thought about what you might “leave behind” as you race with the shepherds to see the Christ? Which of the Shepherds’ responses would you most like to carry with you into this upcoming week of thanksgiving?