An Advent Reflection by Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury.
Read
Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Reflect
Ordinary working men, back on the hills outside Bethlehem praising God for what they had heard and seen. In any baby we see hope, light, life and love. In this baby we see God fully. In Jesus, God come among us.
Shepherds are symbolic of pastoral care, looking after the lost one as well as the whole flock. Take care of the least, the last and the lost, the sick, the poor, stranger and the outcast.
At Christmas God renews the world. Happy Christmas.
Pray
What can I give him, poor as I am
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man I would do my part
Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
–Christina Rossetti
Act
Give a present, no matter how small, to someone who would not expect it.
-Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury.
You can read all of the Advent Reflections via the following link – Advent Reflections 2019.