All Shepherds We
Written By: Chris Mace
Like the shepherds, we …
anxious, waiting,
wrapped in Bethlehem’s darkness
listening for circling wolves…
unseen, lurking, howling,
threatening, fearsome,
snarling…
imagined phantoms of
loss,
impossibilities,
hurt, grief, shame
terrifying death…
Like the shepherds we…
Waiting, Waiting, Waiting…
for the dawn.
Have we not heard the angel?
Fear not!
Immanuel!
God is here!
A Savior for all nation!
Redemption! Peace for our souls!
In the fullness of time…
In the stable darkness,
A glimmer of great grace!
A flicker of hope!
Light!
Would the light prevail through
the black, evil night
and hellish fury of
betrayal, agony, cruelty?
a cross?
a tomb?
death?
The flame flickered, dimmed…
The wolves encroached
Ferocious despair, doubt, confusion
Would, could, dawn dawn?
Yes! Yes!
In the fullness of time,
in resurrection brilliance,
in promised victory!
Christ, the Conquer
exposed, defanged, declawed
the wolves,
Sin lost its power!
Death, its sting!
And phantoms put at bay!
Dawn broke. Christ arose!
The Good Shepherd lives
with rod and staff and powerful promises:
Fear not!
It is done, finished!
I will never leave you!
Sins forgiven! Shame erased!
Life everlasting!
Grace and Mercy abound
with an invitation to all!
Come.
Trust.
Follow
to the still waters and green pastures.
Ah, all shepherds, we
awed,
strong,
assured,
rejoicing,
at peace with God…
The darkness dispelled!
The wolves exposed!
Yet, like the shepherds, we …
waiting waiting, waiting,
for another dawn.
In the fullness of time
His is the Kingdom, and Power and Glory forever!