My friend is reducing the volume of her estate to move out of state (please keep her in prayer). She is reducing her items plus that of her mother’s and others. She has shepherded their belongings and their memories so well. She has enjoyed these items, but knows the next chapter is so important with her grandkids, and those are the times and new chapters where they will develop special new memories together. Any book chapter page is flat, but a memory heart chapter is multidimensional with depth and love.

Recently she preciously gave me one beautiful ornament containing the Nativity scene. This ornament was her grandmother’s. I love vintage for sure, but it’s the subject matter that she and I share: a deep love of Jesus and the appreciation that we ourselves are shepherded. Jesus is our Lord and Savior, Jesus is King. 

The shepherd on the ornament is clear, remarkably so. Kneeling, dressed, reverent. Shepherded by the angels to visit the baby, he will learn from his heart that this is no ordinary baby, this baby will and already did Shepherd our hearts, tending to the tender moments, shoring up the tough times, making a way where there was no way, and laying His body down for the sake of our salvation. We are shepherded by God and God is love. 

We can be a part of shepherding in Christmas and Christ for others, as long as we ourselves be the sheep Shepherded by our Savior, listening for His Word, comfort, and correction. And for us to be Shepherded by the faith instilled in us, we can do hard things too.

This is tough, for her to move, and I cheeringly said: “the best vintage item your kids and grandkids want is you.” We all need to remember that the items are just items, even the ornaments, but Jesus is our All in All. Follow the Shepherd. Be a Flock on the move, then rest with Him at the gate.

Amen 

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” An angel speaking to Mary. Luke 1:37

 Jesus said: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:10-11, 14-18

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20