Lisa Sheffler, author

Day 5 | Reflect, Connect, Respond

This week we followed the shepherds from the fields to the manger and out into the world to share what the good news of Jesus’ birth. We’ve also considered how God is our good Shepherd. What is your biggest takeaway from this week? Spend some time praying and reflecting on what the Lord has shown you.

Reflect

Look back at the passages we covered this week.

What has God shown you from the shepherds’ journey? What does it mean to you that the Lord is your Good Shepherd?

Connect

For slaves living in the American south, spirituals were sacred songs that provided a way of expressing and sharing their faith. A well-knows African-American spiritual relates to the passage we looked at this week: “Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow”

There’s a star in the east on Christmas morn.
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
It will lead to the place where the Christ was born.
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

Follow, follow;
rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Follow the star of Bethlehem.
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

In many parts of the Antebellum South, it was against the law for an enslaved person to read, so songs and stories were some of the only ways they could communicate the message of Christmas. In this song, the story of the wise men is combined with that of the shepherds. In this song, it’s the shepherds who follow the star to find Jesus.

In their Advent study, Mary Had a Baby, Cheryl Kirk-Duggan and Marilyn Thornton explain that the role of the shepherd was certainly relatable to enslaved Africans.[1] They could identify with those who performed back-breaking labor and existed on the bottom rung of society’s hierarchy. But in this African-American spiritual, the shepherd rises up and follows the star, just like the Kings from the east. In singing this song, the enslaved people were invited to identify with royalty. In God’s eyes, if not society’s, they were worthy to follow the star and worship the newborn King. Like the shepherds, they were chosen ahead of the wealthy and powerful to meet the Son of God. Like the Magi, they were wise and bold enough to follow the star.

Because of Jesus’ messages that showed God’s love and promoted human dignity and worth for all humanity, many slaveholders were worried about the spread of Christianity among their slaves. And some spirituals, like this one, not only gave a reason to seek freedom, but helped slaves escape captivity. Escape routes to the north were sometimes communicated in song and then navigated using the stars.

Generations of people from all walks of life have celebrated the Christmas story and found hope in the baby in the manger. The birth of the Savior, Messiah, and King has been a life-giving announcement to people who have little hope of earthly salvation or justice. To know that Jesus experienced poverty, injustice, cruelty, and oppression makes him a Lord who identifies with the oppressed and the outcast, and one who will vindicate and exalt them in the end.

Perhaps slavery and oppression are not a very “Christmas-y” thing to talk about, but they are closer to the reality of the first Christmas than shiny tinsel and beautifully wrapped presents. Those of us who get to celebrate the bounty of God this holiday season, should not forget those in our past and in our midst who are having a very different experience. God gives grace to the humble and so should we.

[1] Cheryl Kirk-Duggan and Marilyn Thornton, Mary Had a Baby: As Advent Bible Study Based on African American Spirituals, (Nashville TN: Abingdon, 2014) p.15-17.

Respond

What is your next step?

How is the Holy Spirit leading you to respond to God’s Word? How are you taking advantage of the Christmas season to grow in your relationship with God? How are you keeping Jesus at the center of the season?

How are you reaching out to others this season? Those who are hurting? Those in need? Pray about ways you can share Christ’s love.

Are you keeping Advent this season? If you haven’t already started, go ahead and join us this week. You’ll find an Advent guide on the next page.

Advent Guide

The word “advent” comes from the Latin word that means “coming.” Advent is a time of expectant waiting as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and look forward to his return.

Traditionally, advent is celebrated on the four Sundays before Christmas and on Christmas Eve. Some Christians use an Advent wreath or “crown” that sits on a table. Four candles are placed around the wreath, and one is added in the center. A different candle is lit each week, and the center candle is lit on Christmas Eve. During this special time, Scriptures are read and hymns are sung in celebration of Jesus’ arrival!2020 Advent Calendar

To follow this Advent calendar, you’ll need: a wreath or “crown” of some kind where you can safely place the candles, five candles (a gold, white, green, purple and red), and a Bible. You’ll also want to find versions of the hymns listed below so you can sing along.

Adapt this so that it fits your family. Use a children’s Bible with pictures if you have little ones. If you don’t have an official Advent wreath or the right color candles, just use what you do have. Be creative! The point is to gather around the table with others and remember what’s truly special about this time of year — the arrival of Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Week 1 (11/29) The Prophets

Gold Candle: for prophets who announced Christ’s coming
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2–7, Isaiah 53:1–5, Micah 5:2, Luke 2:25–38 (Simeon and Anna)
Hymn: O Come O Come Emmanuel

Week 2 (12/6) The Angels

White Candle: for the angels who announced Jesus’ coming
Scripture Readings: Luke 1:11–45 (to Zechariah and Mary), Matthew 1:18–25 (to Joseph)
Hymn: Hark the Herald

Week 3 (12/13) The Shepherds

Green Candle: for the shepherds who came to worship Jesus
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8–20
Hymn: Joy to the World

Week 4 (12/20) The Wise Men

Purple Candle: for the wise men who came to worship Jesus
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1–18
Hymn: We Three Kings

Christmas Eve (12/24) Jesus!

Red Candle: for the coming of Jesus
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1–7; 40, John 3:16
Hymns: Away in a Manger, What Child is This?, Amazing Grace