Christmas Sheep

Many of us may be running around in that last-minute Christmas rush to get every last holiday task and gift crossed off our list. I often feel like the sheep in this "way cool" sheep video.  I’m sure you will enjoy it.  And don’t forget to read the commentary after!

Kudos to those imaginative, industrious and talented shepherds!  But I see two object lessons in this video for simple sheep like me.  It occurs to me that I can be just like those sheep.  Obviously, the lights on the sheep remind me of Christmas, so I thought about how easily this sheep is dazzled by the “stuff” of Christmas.  It’s easy to get caught up in all the materialism—to have this new outfit, or buy that new gadget, or the gotta-run-to-get-that-great-deal kind of frenzy at Christmas.  I think I must look like those silly sheep being herded around for the retailers benefit and delight.

But I also mean the “stuff” that makes our Christmases unique and special.  I know there are times that I have thought about various special traditions in the Mulberry household, and have whined, “But it just won’t be Christmas if I don’t ...”  “It won’t be the same if...”  Don’t get me wrong!  I do love Christmas—the lights, the songs, the celebrations, the atmosphere.  But that is just fleeting fluff.  The real point of Christmas is just Jesus and why He came to us that one solitary, quiet night in Bethlehem.  Jesus alone is all I need for Christmas; anything else is abundant blessing.

I see another lesson in this fun sheep video, and I mean no disrespect for these creative shepherds.  I realize how different they are than my Good Shepherd (John 10). Jesus calls some to pastor (literally to be under-shepherds)—to feed the flock.  But some shepherds (rather hirelings- John 10:12, 13) will not pay attention to wolves who will come to destroy the flock (Acts 20:27-31).  False teachers/shepherds who “make merchandise” (KJV) or exploit the sheep (2 Pet. 2:1-3) will draw the sheep away to themselves.  Those hirelings will use the sheep for their own self-interests and entertainment much like the shepherds in the video.

I’m just a simple sheep who needs a simple Gospel and the Great Shepherd, the One who laid down His life for me, purchased me with His own blood, and brought me into Covenant.  He’s the One who lives forever making intercession for me.  That’s the One I’m celebrating this Christmas!  He’s all I need.  I’m not running around,  I’m following Him!