Lessons from the Nativity Scene

The biblical aspects of shepherding are evident in the nativity scene during the birth of Jesus Christ. This tranquil and humble setting illustrates the qualities that make a good shepherd: humility, obedience, compassion, and evangelism. These timeless teachings have profound implications for our daily lives as leaders, parents, and community members.

By embracing these virtues – leading with humility, parenting with love, and serving our communities with compassion – we can make a positive and lasting impact in our world. This paper will explore the lessons from the nativity scene to better understand how we can embody the qualities of the Good Shepherd.

Biblical Examples of God’s Calling for Shepherds

Shepherds are central figures in the Bible, often used to symbolize leaders chosen by God. Their distinct roles as caregivers, protectors, and guides make them apt metaphors for spiritual leadership.

One of the most prominent examples is Moses. He was tending sheep in the wilderness when he encountered the burning bush where God commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This shepherd’s humble and patient lifestyle likely prepared him for the task of guiding a nation through its journey to the promised land. His life serves as a testament to God’s capability to transform ordinary individuals into extraordinary leaders.

Similarly, David, another shepherd in the Bible, was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king of Israel while he was still a young boy tending his father’s flock. His experiences as a shepherd—protecting his flock from predators, leading them to green pastures, and caring for them—were unknowingly preparing him for his future role as king. Throughout his reign, David exhibited the heart of a shepherd, leading his people with compassion and justice.

Lastly, Peter, a fisherman by trade, received a shepherd’s calling from Jesus Himself. After His resurrection, Jesus charged Peter to “feed my sheep,” effectively making him a shepherd of the early Christian church after Christ’s ascension. Peter’s transformation from a simple fisherman to a leader of the church underscores the transformative power of God’s call.

In each of these instances, God took the initiative in calling His shepherds and held them accountable, blessing and disciplining them according to His purpose. This pattern reveals that God equips those He calls, preparing and molding them through their life experiences to fulfill their divine assignments. These biblical examples serve as a reminder that God’s call can reach us in our ordinary lives, turning our everyday experiences into preparation for greater work in His service.

God as the Shepherd of His People

The metaphor of God as a shepherd is deeply woven into the fabric of both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a potent symbol of divine care, guidance, and protection.

In the Old Testament, one of the most vivid depictions of God as a shepherd is found in Psalm 23. Here, David, a former shepherd himself, portrays God as a shepherd who leads His flock beside still waters and green pastures restores their soul, and guides them along righteous paths. This imagery reflects God’s role as a protector and provider, one who ensures the welfare and safety of His chosen people, Israel.

God’s shepherding is not just about provision and protection; it’s also about guidance. In Isaiah 40:11, God is described as a shepherd who “gently leads those that have young”. This signifies God’s patient guidance, leading His people according to their unique needs and capacities.

Transitioning to the New Testament, Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10. He distinguishes Himself from hired hands who abandon the sheep at the sight of danger. Instead, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for His sheep. This ultimate act of sacrificial love underscores Jesus’ commitment to humanity, reinforcing the concept of God’s protective and selfless love.

Furthermore, Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd extends to seeking and saving the lost, as seen in the parable of the lost sheep. This parable reveals the heart of God, who rejoices over the repentance of each sinner more than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.

In essence, the depiction of God and Jesus as the shepherd serves as a profound reminder of their enduring love, care, and guidance for humanity. It reassures believers of their constant divine presence, guiding them through life’s challenges and leading them towards paths of righteousness.

The Function of a Shepherd in the Nativity Scene

The role of shepherds in the nativity story is not just a matter of historical detail, but also deeply symbolic and representative of broader spiritual themes.

Shepherds were among the lowest socioeconomic groups in Jewish society at that time. They were considered unclean and often marginalized. Yet, in the divine narrative of Jesus’ birth, these humble figures were chosen to be the first recipients of the heavenly announcement. This was a radical departure from societal norms where such revelations would typically be made to those of high status or religious authority.

Their encounter with the angelic host, as described in the Gospel of Luke, was nothing short of extraordinary. Amid their ordinary nightly vigil, the heavens opened, and they were enveloped in glorious light as angels declared the birth of the Savior. This divine revelation to the shepherds signifies that God’s salvation is not confined to the powerful or the religious elite but extends to all, including the humblest and most marginalized among us.

Following their divine encounter, the shepherds journeyed to Bethlehem, becoming the first witnesses of the newborn King. Their visit to the manger symbolizes the act of seeking and finding Christ, a journey that every believer undertakes. The shepherds’ immediate response to the angel’s message also serves as a model of prompt obedience to God’s call.

After meeting the Holy Family, the shepherds became the first evangelists, spreading the news about the miraculous birth. Their role as messengers underscores the responsibility of every Christian to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

In summary, the shepherds in the nativity scene serve multiple functions: they represent God’s inclusive salvation, embody prompt obedience to divine revelation, model the journey of seeking Christ, and exemplify the call to evangelize. Their presence in the nativity story is a testament to God’s extraordinary love, which reaches out to the ordinary, the humble, and the overlooked.

Shepherding Lessons from the Nativity Scene

The nativity scene, while a simple representation of Jesus’ birth, is rich with profound lessons about humility, obedience, compassion, and care – all embodied in the character of the shepherds.

Humility is one of the most significant virtues reflected in the shepherds. Despite their low social status, they were chosen as the first recipients of the divine announcement of the Savior’s birth. This underscores the biblical principle that God exalts the humble. It serves as a reminder that true greatness in God’s kingdom is not about worldly status or power, but humility.

Obedience is another crucial lesson drawn from the shepherds’ response to the angelic revelation. Upon receiving the news of Jesus’ birth, the shepherds immediately set off to find the newborn King, despite it being in the middle of the night. Their readiness to respond to God’s call, even when it meant leaving their flock and venturing into the unknown, demonstrates the essence of obedience. It teaches us the importance of prioritizing God’s call above our comfort and convenience.

Compassion and care are inherent aspects of a shepherd’s role, and these virtues are mirrored in our interactions with others. The shepherds in the nativity scene, who cared for their sheep through harsh weather and against predators, symbolize this selfless love and commitment. This parallels our responsibility to care for those around us, especially the vulnerable and less fortunate. It calls us to be ‘shepherds’ in our own spheres of influence – nurturing, protecting, and caring for those entrusted to us.

Moreover, the shepherds’ joy and eagerness to share the good news about Jesus’ birth highlight the importance of evangelism. They did not keep the joyous news to themselves but shared it with everyone they met. This encourages us to share the message of Christ’s love and salvation with others.

In essence, the nativity scene, through the lens of the shepherds, provides valuable lessons on living out the Christian faith. It invites us to cultivate humility, practice obedience, demonstrate compassion, and engage in evangelism, thereby embodying the spirit of true shepherding in our daily lives.

Practical Applications of Shepherding Lessons

The shepherding lessons drawn from the nativity scene are not confined to the biblical context but have profound implications for our daily lives and interactions. These lessons resonate with us in various roles, whether as leaders, parents, or community members.

As leaders, whether in a corporate setting or a small team, we are much like shepherds. We guide a group towards a common goal, just as a shepherd guides his flock to green pastures. The shepherd’s humility reminds us that effective leadership is not about asserting dominance but about serving others. Their immediate obedience to the angel’s message teaches us the importance of decisive action and responsiveness in leadership. Furthermore, their protective role echoes in leaders’ responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.

For parents, the shepherding metaphor provides a powerful framework for understanding the role of nurturing children. Parents, like shepherds, provide for their children’s needs, protect them from harm, and guide them through life’s challenges. The shepherds’ care for their flocks, even in harsh conditions, mirrors the unconditional love and commitment that parenting requires. Moreover, the joy and eagerness the shepherds showed in sharing the good news parallel parents’ role in imparting values and sharing life’s joyful moments with their children.

As community members, we’re also called to be shepherds in our interactions with others. This could mean standing up for a neighbor who is being treated unjustly, supporting a local cause, or volunteering at a community center. The shepherds’ compassion for their sheep encourages us to show empathy towards others in our community, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized.

In essence, the shepherding lessons from the nativity scene invite us to embody the qualities of the Good Shepherd in our everyday roles and interactions. They call us to lead with humility, parent with unconditional love, and serve our communities with compassion. By doing so, we reflect the love and care of the Good Shepherd, making a positive impact in our spheres of influence.

These lessons gleaned from the humble shepherds in the nativity scene are timeless and universal, applicable to every facet of our lives. As we step into our roles as leaders, parents, and community members, may we strive to emulate the qualities of the Good Shepherd, leading with humility, parenting with love, and serving with compassion. And in doing so, we can make a positive and lasting impact in our world.

Conclusion Biblical Aspects of Shepherding

The timeless and universal lessons we derive from the humble shepherds in the nativity scene can be applied to all aspects of our lives. As we navigate our roles as leaders, parents, and community members, we are invited to mirror the qualities of the Good Shepherd. This means leading with a spirit of humility, parenting with boundless love, and serving our communities with deep compassion. By embracing these values, we have the opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact in our world, reflecting the love and care of the Good Shepherd.

Prayer of Salvation

Giving your life to the Lord is the best decision you can ever make in your entire life on earth. I invite you to make Jesus your Lord today. In Romans 10vs.9 the Bible says that, “If thou confess with thy mouth, that Jesus is Lord, and believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved.” Please, pray this prayer:

“Dear heavenly Father, I believe with all of my heart that Jesus is Lord. I believe that he died on the cross and that on the third day God raised him from the dead. I affirm that Jesus is the Lord of my life from this day onward. I’m now born again. In the name of Jesus. Amen!”

Well done for making this prayer! You are now born again. Attend a bible based church and keep learning the truth of God‘s Word as you become an excellent Christian.

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Footnotes

1. Adoration of the Shepherds ↩
2. Nativity Scene figurines | online sales on HOLYART.com ↩
3. Shepherd Nativity Set ↩
4. “The Urgent Call to Shepherd God’s Flock,” Bible.org ↩
5. “Examples of God Calling People in the Bible,” RJ Christian Coaching ↩
6. “Lessons in Shepherding: God, Moses, and David,” 9Marks ↩
7. “The Call of the Shepherd,” Bethany Bible Church ↩
8. “Who Shall Shepherd the Flock?” Desiring God ↩
9. “What Do We Know About the Christmas Shepherds?” Crosswalk ↩
10. “The Christmas Story: The Shepherds,” Creative Bible Study ↩
11. “Why Christmas? The Shepherds” ↩
12. “Lessons in Seeking Christ from the Humble Shepherds,” Discover the Book Ministries ↩
13. “Shepherding in Contemporary Ministry,” Shepherd of Souls ↩
14. “Remember the Significant Symbol of Shepherds This Christmas, Young Women General Presidency Says,” Church of Jesus Christ Newsroom ↩
15. “What Does It Mean to Be a Shepherd in the Bible?” Got Questions ↩
16. “Biblical Theology and Shepherding,” 9Marks ↩
17. “The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church,” The Gospel Coalition ↩
18. “Characteristics of a Shepherd in the Bible,” Bible Verses Pro ↩
19. “8 Qualities of Shepherd Leaders,” Biblical Leadership ↩
20. “What is Shepherding and Why Must Elders Do It?” Desiring God Church ↩
21. “Characteristics of a Shepherd in the Bible: Sheep,” Hey Creative Sister ↩