Christian Parenting

Hello and welcome back to the Truth Seekers podcast.

Today is day 10 as we observe Advent and take time to prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Have you been learning some new things about Jesus and Christmas and why we celebrate Christmas?

I hope so. Luke chapter 2 verses 8 through 12 tells us about the shepherds that were nearby the night

Jesus was born. He says, and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be assigned to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

The first people to hear the news that God had come to earth were

shepherds. That's right, shepherds. The sole job of a shepherd was to care for and look after their sheep.

After the fields near a village were harvested, the shepherd would allow his sheep to graze on new shoots and on grain left among

the stubble. When summer heat set in, shepherds moved their flocks to cooler pastures on higher

ground. For days on end, shepherds would work and sleep outdoors, allowing the flock to graze

on the steep green slopes and spending the nights guarding the open sheepfolds.

At times, the shepherd might shelter his flock overnight in a cave,

where they would be protected from jackals and hyenas.

If the howl of a hyena panicked the flock of sheep in the dark of night,

the shepherd's calm reassuring voice would still them.

Each evening the shepherd counted the sheep and checked the health of the animals.

In the morning, he would call, and the flock would follow him to the pasture ground.

At midday, shepherds led the animals to cool pools of water to drink.

When the pools dried up, the shepherd guided them to a well and drew water for them. Toward the end of the dry season, a shepherd might move his flock to the coastal plains and valleys.

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