Dec 4th Advent day 8

He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arms, He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.  Isaiah 40 :11

Ive always loved this verse and the image it conjures up.  Have also always loved Handel's interpretation of it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9rw3RLv9AY

I never really understood the whole Biblical emphasis on sheep and shepherds until my Mum moved to Spain.  Its such a hot and barren terrain with only scrubby bushes and rocky outcrops for miles.  And the shepherds there walk for miles every day with their scrawny, dirty, noisy sheep straggling along behind them searching for anything to eat.   Its a  hot, dirty, lonely job.   The sheep aren't all fluffy and cute like the photo above.   They look half dead for the most part.  but I guess they are actually pretty tough and resilient.  And when one gets lost, its not because it has wandered off into some lush pasture.  It has probably fallen down some crevasse in the rocks and needs to be rescued at no small inconvenience and discomfort to the shepherd. 

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Shepherds attended Jesus's birth.  Hard working, rugged, strong, dirt poor men were the first witnesses.  And Jesus identified Himself  as a good shepherd and told stories about lost sheep...... the references are all over the place    What I love about the Isaiah passage is that sense of tenderness - despite the harshness of the terrain and the ruggedness of the shepherd and the scrawny, ragged look of the sheep the shepherd still loves and cares for each one.   Carries the lambs.  Gently leads those with young.   I think the traditional view of Jesus the Good Shepherd has been of the wishy washy, meek and mild gentle Jesus carrying the white and pristine lamb on his shoulders.  Not sure that that is how it is at all.
Lord,  I thank you that You are tough enough to endure the tough terrain I sometimes have to cross to find food.  That You are brave and strong enough to rescue me from the gully I fall into or the thorn bush I get snared in.  That you protect me from wild animals, tend me when I'm injured, carry me when I'm lame and gently lead when I am about to birth something new.  Thank you that You are gritty and earthy and real and practical and good.  Just like those first men who witnessed your birth 2000 years ago.