Friday, December 29, 2006

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 5

Adoration of the Shepherds (detail), Jacopo Negretti, 1520-1525

The newborn King's first visitors were not "desirables." Considered marginal Jews at best, Jewish shepherds were despised by others. Isn't it interesting that, as in so many future instances, it is the lowly and rejected ones of society who recognized the truth of who Christ was and who told others the good news of his coming? Praise be to God!

See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too would thither bend our joyful footsteps;
O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord!

No comments: