Sheep and the Lamb

December 1

Every Nativity scene probably has sheep. They just seem to belong in the stable. When you consider the shepherds, and it is little surprise that ewes and rams and little lambs are portrayed as having visited Jesus in the manger. Now perhaps Mary and Joseph carried a bit of our modern sense of propriety in regards to health and sanitation and they forbade the animals from entering the stable.

No one knows for sure but I like to imagine a little lamb peeking into the manger to see Jesus. It casually grabs a bite to eat and catches a bit of swaddling clothe in the process, partially disrobing the resting babe right before a shepherd’s crook comes in and yanks the lamb away.

Wherever our imagination places the sheep in the nativity scene, there most definitely was a Lamb in the manger. 

Christmas happened because Easter needed to happen. In Isaiah 53:7 we see the image of a Lamb come into play in God’s promised salvation: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

Our Lamb would do no bleating, just bleeding. Our self-condemning hearts love to defend and justify our lives, guilty as they are. Our Lamb took that upon himself, becoming worthy of all worship, honor, and praise.

As you look at your nativity scenes this year pay special attention to that Lamb lying in the manger. Then check this description of that very same Lamb in Revelation 5:6-14:

 “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb…And they sang a new song, saying:

            ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your                         blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and             you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: 

           ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and                honor and glory and blessing!’

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: 

          ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might                 forever and ever.’

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.”