The Model of a Simple Life

Jan. 1: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God The Octave Day of Christmas

Jan 02, 2025

I sometimes wonder what happened to the shepherds after the Nativity. They saw angels announce the Messiah, and then found a baby. It seems that they believed it all, but then nothing happened (publicly) for thirty years.

Simeon and Anna were old by the time they say the infant Jesus. They probably didn’t expect to see His ministry. But what did the shepherds do? Thirty years is a long time, but life expectancy wasn’t as short as we sometimes assume it was in ancient times. If they were young and healthy enough to be outside with the sheep that night, they’d probably be just older-middle aged when Jesus began preaching.

Did they hear about this itinerant preacher and miracle worker? Did they make the connection with the angelic vision three decades earlier? Did they abandon their flock to join Jesus’?

Reading I

Num 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

This passage comes at the end of a chapter about Nazirites, people who were set apart in a special way to serve God. Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist all took the Nazarite vow.1

They were ascetics, who lived simply and plainly, in order to serve God and His people. They were a blessing on Earth, not unlike nuns and priests today.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.

This psalm echoes the blessing above. The people of Israel ask God for blessings not only for their own sake, but so as to be a light to all nations, to make everyone aware of God’s goodness.

Reading II

Gal 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Jesus was born, lived, and died a natural life, so that we could be supernaturally adopted by God the Father.

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Heb 1:1-2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus didn’t come out of nowhere to save us; he was part of—the climax of—a much longer story.

Gospel

Lk 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

None of the apostles are identified as shepherds, and Jesus was likely a carpenter by training, yet he uses sheep/flock/good shepherd metaphors all the time.

It does make one wonder if Mary told him about the shepherds who showed up out of nowhere at the stable where He was born. After all, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”

There are a lot of details we’ll never know, and yet everything that happened was part of God’s plan, from “before He was conceived in the womb.” Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds all lived simply, safe in the knowledge that they were playing their part in that plan.

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