Seeking God with Jaime Wiebel

Finding Our Identity in the Heart of God.

The Shepherds Watched Their Flocks and Sitting Among Friends #54

by 16 Comments

And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just then, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! Luke 2:8-11

A shepherd’s job was to watch over the sheep. Watch the flock, so by night they would be safe. But this night was different. The message they received was unlike any other. A host of Heaven’s angels singing the praises of the Glory of this Newborn King.
It surely was a sight. The angel’s response was, “Do not be afraid!” The fear quickly turned to joy because they went straight to see all they had been told and when they found Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, they ran through the streets praising God.   
The sheep they watched were blemished. In some way, imperfect. To see the perfect lamb must have truly been a sight for their watchful eyes.

We are those blemished lambs looked upon by our Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and because of that, we needed the perfect sacrifice to come and take our place. 
We needed our relationship restored. Before Jesus came the only way to be forgiven for a time was through a sacrifice. That was never enough and was never meant to be. God needed a solution to be available for all and for all time. Because of our sins and blemishes, our relationship with God was broken and the only answer was through Jesus. 
I am always amazed when I think of Jesus, leaving His perfect home, coming as a newborn babe. The most vulnerable state of a human’s reality. The dependence on others for our mere existence. Yet, God chose for that to be the path to accomplishing His work.  
Not only was His path, to take on a human body but to take on the hardships of human life. To come as a servant. To be born in such a lowly place as a stable. To be laid in straw, in the manger, wrapped and covered only in swaddling clothes.
Why would God leave His Heavenly home to do all of that for me? For you? Love!
Love came down. Wrapped in those swaddling cloths. Wrapped in the protection of His Loving Father. Wrapped in the plan to save us and set us free. His arms wrapped up tight so one day they could be opened wide to welcome home His prodigal children.  
For me? For You? Love!
The reason for Christmas, so the Shepherd could one day look His blemished sheep in the eye and see us as His perfect children. Through the cross, through His loving sacrifice, Jesus.  
Emmanuel, God has come (Isaiah 7:14). He came to be with us. I love that He is willing to be a with us God. To show His power and love through the miracle of His One and Only Begotten Son.
For God so loved the world, that He sent His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Whoever chooses to believe in God’s only Son, whoever chooses to turn their life and trust over to Him will not perish. You did not choose this life but you can choose where you spend your eternal life.
God came, took on the form of a man, it’s why we celebrate Christmas, so you and I could choose life.   
While the shepherds watched over their fields that night….
Emmanuel came to be the God with us. Will you choose to Believe this Christmas?
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This week’s featured friend is JoDitt Williams from joditt.com. I had the privilege of having JoDitt guest blog with me this week. She is sharing 6 Keys to Delighting in the Lord. She is also sharing her new Coloring Book full of beautiful verses to color. Hop over to her post and download sample pages. Thanks for being with us, JoDitt, I am glad you are here. 

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Comments

  3. Michele Morin says

    This is a completely random thought, but I smiled when I saw the title of this post because it makes me wonder: were the shepherds friends, and were they "sitting among friends" as they watched their flocks. I hope so.
    Thanks, Jaime, for meeting us here each week!

    Reply

    • Jaime Wiebel says

      Those are funny thoughts, Michelle. I would imagine the scene was bright enough that it could have been seen across a field but I wonder if they did sit together and talk. They certainly saw the same thing and traveled to see baby Jesus together. I would imagine having a moment like that would certainly bind you as friends. You're funny! Thanks for being here every week, friend.

      Reply

    • Jaime Wiebel says

      Always! In the tiny spirit as He came as a newborn babe to the magnitude of His Passion He showed for us on the cross. We just was a crucifixion story last weekend and I it is so hard to watch re-enactments, I can't imagine laying my eyes on the real deal. I sit and watch in amazement. As Christ takes every blow, It's hard to fathom that He did it for me. For any of us, really. And to start off as a newborn, so vulnerable and fragile. I am glad He chose love. Praise God! Thanks for being here with us, Julie.

      Reply

  6. Beth says

    I love how you write with such passion about the Lord's passion and love for us, Jaime! It's truly a mind-blowing truth that we need to let soak into our hearts. I'm so glad you're breaking it down for us even in the way that a shepherd cares for his not-so-perfect sheep. We truly are loved! Thank you for your linkups, my friend!

    Reply

    • Jaime Wiebel says

      My heart, my friend! I am committed to share it. God has done so much to set me free, I pray that only comes out in leading others and pointing to Him. I am so glad you are here and thank you so much for the encouragement, weekly, Beth.

      Reply

  7. csuhpat1 says

    I like your story about the meaning of Xmas than the ones that are out there. I do believe that someone watches over my sorry butt, it is nice to that we do have a shepherd watching over me.

    I will believe in the shepherd for the Christmas and not the Wal-Mart Christmas that everyone believes in. (Sorry, if I sound jaded, just don't like this time of year).

    Reply

    • Jaime Wiebel says

      I know this time of year can be difficult for many people and I am sorry for that. I pray that God can give you a hope and a reason to celebrate new life in Him and while the world may be expecting one thing we can rest in the Peace and Hope we find in Christ and the cross. I do hope you have a Merry Christmas, my friend!

      Reply

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