What Did You Get For Christmas?
By David Chang, Director of Ministry Support
I love asking Keiki what they got for Christmas and getting caught up in their excitement. Last week one of my spiritual mentors asked me a Christmas question that I couldn’t answer. He asked, “Are you a camel, a sheepherder, or one of the magi?” He said there are three kinds of people that encountered Jesus and that I should think about one that fits me.
CAMELS: They were the hard-working beasts of burden. They obediently went where the magi directed them carrying their loads of people and gifts, through long distances, over rough terrain, enduring hunger and thirst. Though they didn’t know their destination, they just kept going one step after another, trusting the magi. Because they were obedient and trusting, they brought people and gifts to worship the Lord.
SHEEPHERDERS: Someone pointed out to me that over-time, we “romanticized” the sheepherders, celebrating them on greeting cards. We forget that in those days, these sheepherders had the similar social status to the garbage collectors of today. But these are the people that God sent His heralds to.
Luke 2:8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.
Luke 2:15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
These sheepherders started off being terrified. But later they passionately ran toward Jesus and went on to share their excitement with everyone they met. They were perfectly picked by God to spread the good news.
MAGI: These were the wise men that had spent their lives looking for promises in the Scriptures, signs in the sky, and clues in current events that would point them to the God’s promised coming.
Matthew 2:1-2 a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled His birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship Him.”
It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves. They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
Luke 2:11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, His mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped Him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
These magi were so faithful. They were diligent in searching, persistent in their journey, and sacrificial in their worship.
Wow, which one describes me? Is it the obedient and trusting camel? Is it the humble and passionate sheepherder? Is it the diligent and persistent Magi? More important question––which one describes you? It’s a fun meditation. Try it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for making us all different. Thank You that Your gift of love for each of us is equally precious, but equally different. Help me to be obedient and trusting as a camel, as humble and passionate as a sheepherder, and as diligent and persistent as one of the Magi. In Jesus name, Amen.
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