Hi, I'm Joni and it’s getting close to Christmas, so if you know this classic, sing it with me, would you?
The King of love my shepherd is
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
I'm inspired today to tell you a story… picture with me, would you, that night when Mary and Joseph finally rounded the last corner overlooking the village of Bethlehem. They were two moonlit figures, they were, one atop a donkey, the other walking. They stopped at the corner, pausing to catch their breath before winding their way down the dark road toward town. Mary being so pregnant was relieved for the moment to rest; the long journey was nearly over — every time her donkey had stumbled, she had to grab the saddle, wincing in pain.
Who could blame her for being just a little frightened? Joseph hadn’t said much about where they would stay that night. He pulled the donkey over further on the side of the road to let others pass. Mary pressed both her hands against her back and straightened to relieve her stiffness. A long line of people streamed by, with camels and donkeys loaded with supplies. Mary’s eyes met Joseph’s — it was obvious the overnight-lodges in Bethlehem would be crowded. After the people had passed, Joseph gathered the reins and they continued on.
You know, I like to picture that scene. It makes Joseph and Mary seem so human. And had I been a traveler walking behind Mary, perhaps I would have heard her atop that donkey murmuring very familiar words: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want... yea, though I walk through the valley... thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” I like to think Psalm 23 was on her mind as she entered Bethlehem. I mean, she was from Nazareth, and she probably did not visit Bethlehem all that often. She had to know as she looked out over the town (the same village where King David grew up in), surely if Mary were frightened, she would have quoted from heart Psalm 23.
And so imagine it. As Mary looks over the hills during that last mile, she could have easily glimpsed the campfires of the shepherds – we know they were out there on the hills; because just hours later, the angels would appear to them, announcing Jesus’ birth. So maybe seeing those shepherds reminded her of the Great Shepherd watching over her. No, I don’t believe it was a stretch to think that the 23rd Psalm was Mary’s comfort that night.
And so I ask, what discomforts are you facing this season? Is there something troubling you? Well, remember the words to this beautiful hymn. It might not be a Christmas hymn, the King of love, your shepherd is: He’s the Great Shepherd, He’s the Good Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, the Bible calls Him the True Shepherd. And you are His lamb, so let His staff, let His presence be your comfort this busy, busy season, because the 23rd Psalm could well be a pretty personal Christmas message for you especially as we’re coming up on a very busy Christmas weekend—lots of shopping, lots to do. As you head into Christmas week, from all of us at Joni and Friends and Wheels for the World and our Family Retreats, we wish you a very Merry Christmas to come.
©Joni and Friends. Previously aired as program #6950 on 12/19/08.
Used by permission of JONI AND FRIENDS
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