|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "What Child Is This"1 (Lyrics) |
A Revisited Devotional from December 24, 1997.
Luke 2:8 – And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (KJV)
Who would leave the shepherds out of the Christmas story? Not me, that's for sure. You see, I'm one of them.
The passage from Luke says there were shepherds in the fields that night, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Think about that for a moment. In his "Daily Bible Study", William Barclay says that shepherds were looked down upon because they couldn't keep up with all the ritual hand-washing and all the other myriad details of the Jewish religious laws. The shepherds were too busy looking after the constant demands of their sheep. Read the passage again. They were sleeping out in the fields with the sheep. It's winter and there are no creature comforts — just a bunch of guys doing their jobs on the night shift.
Christmas is for most people a family time. But look closely around you, and you will see some Christmas shepherds today: people whose jobs require them to be working, while you're enjoying the seasonal fun.
I invite you to take a moment and call the roll of your Christmas shepherds. Police officers, fire-fighters, heath care workers, utility crews, broadcasters, pilots and airport workers, train crews and bus drivers: this list goes on and on. And yes, computer people. Big data centres don't stop. Several years ago, I recall my supervisor saying she was going in for a 7 a.m. start Christmas Day.
Let's not forget clergy. While most of us are relaxing, women and men of the cloth have the added chores of preparing for a number of extra services, in a short period of time. They may be under extra pressure to minister to people they see only once every year, or to complete strangers.
While you're making merry, there's an unseen army of people on the job. I'll think of them this year, and the sacrifices they have to make over the holidays. If you're at a Christmas Eve church service, I'll say a prayer for you, and, if you want, remember me hard at work in the data centre. And may we both think of the Saviour, Whose coming is the reason for the season.
Prayer: Lord, Your angels were "on the job" when You were born on earth. They joined the shepherds in wondering at Your birth. In this season, help us to spare a moment to remember those who must work so we may enjoy our leisure. Let's remember especially those whose work brings them into danger. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook Send your feedback to the author Leave a comment
daughter: "Update May 19, 2025: Please keep praying for our daughter. She has another health concern which we..." 
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Thanks Bruce, may you and your family have a peaceful, happy Christmas. Blessings.
Thank you for thinking of all who work at Christmas so the rest of us can enjoy our day.
Great post, Bruce, really made me think about all the other shepherds. Thanks and God bless!
Give thanks to those who enable us to enjoy a safe comfortable life 24/7 – the modern Shepherds.
Thank you for sharing.
Wishing you and all your family all the Blessings of Christmas.
Thank you for this reminder of all the people who work during this sacred holiday period. I will be praying for all of you.
Thank you, Bruce, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today.
May God bless your work. Blessings.
Wonderful devotional today. Our son in law will start 6-night shifts in a row tonight as an emergency room doctor. We pray he gets enough sleep during the day.
Merry Christmas Bruce,
Thank you for this important reminder. I just put it on FB also.
God bless.
Thank you for today’s message! You, and all the other shepherds, are so appreciated! I have a brother and nephew who are paramedics so can relate.
Prayers for you all on Christmas, and on all the other days. Thank you for your service!!
Thank you for writing this devotional.
Always someone doing something.
Love is a duty.
God so loved the world.
Thank you.
Seasons blessings.
Thank you, Bruce, for your devotional today and yes, I will be praying and giving thanks for those who must work and be on duty through the days of Christmas celebration. I know the necessity of working while others may be off work as nursing was my career. We need be ever thankful that our loving Lord is on constant duty and ever ready to receive our prayers and guide us through each day. Many blessings for your special writing.
Good morning, Bruce,
I really appreciate your reminder to think of what others do to keep us safe and comfortable at this time. I think reflecting on them as shepherds helps me be more thankful that they are doing their job when they would like to be home with their families. I don’t always remember to thank them or even think about them being there for all of us. You wrote this devotional many years ago; however, I believe that it is even more important this year for us to remember the shepherds. I have been enjoying these revisited devotionals. Blessings.
Good morning,
Today’s devotional helped me to think that the devotionals come every day for us who depend on them. You are some of the shepherds referred to in this message.
I don’t always remember to let others know how much I appreciate what they do for others.
I truly appreciate receiving a devotional each day which helps me to connect with my faith, connect with others because I share them with my thoughts on the devotional and hear back from others with their thoughts.
THANK YOU. Merry Christmas and may God continue to bless each and everyone of you. Blessings.
Hi, thank you for sharing very nicely said. I am a retired nurse I know what you are talking about.