The Shepherd (You Were Not There in Bethlehem)

Song: The Shepherd (You Were Not There in Bethlehem)

Artist: Michael McLean's "Forgotten Carols"

 

I really like how this song is told through the perspective of a shepherd who did not see the angels nor the Son of God personally. It eludes to the fact that we are the shepherd. We have not seen Jesus Christ with our mortal eyes but we need to believe that he is real. That he lives. And that we can and will see him some day soon.

 

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. - How would I receive this gift?

 

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. - Have I come quickly?

 

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." (Luke 2:8-17)

 

Today I read Luke chapter 4 and Matthew chapter 1 and 2.

 

 

The flock was more than peaceful

The night was dark and deep

The stillness wrapped around me

I drifted off to sleep

And when my friends awoke me

Oh, what a tale they had to tell

They said the angels told them

About a newborn King

They had a star to guide them

They heard the heavens sing

They said that when they found Him

They knew they'd never be the same

Somehow I did believe them,

Though everything I knew

Said I should not believe them

This story can't be true

But there was something magic

In the air

That made me feel as if

I had been there

I asked a thousand questions

Their answers startled me

The more I heard,

The more I thought I knew

This cannot be

And then the struggle started,

My head was wrestling with my heart.

Why would a God from Heaven

Come to the world this way?

Why in a lowly stable

Would the Messiah lay?

I shook my head and asked them

To tell the story one more time

Yes I did believe them
Though I'd not seen a thing I did not go to Bethlehem
Or hear the angels sing
But there was something magic
In the air
That made me feel as if
I had been there

I knew that as the world moves on

through time

There would be more stories

just like mine

About the souls who've chosen
to believe
In something that they never
got to see

Do you think you'll join us
Though you've not seen a thing?

You were not there in Bethlehem
To hear the angels sing
But if you feel the spirit
In the air
Then just like me you'd know

That He was here
He was here
The King of kings
And Lord of lords was here
(He was here)
He was here, he was here
(He was here)
And He will come again,
For He was here.
(The King of kings)
(The Lord of lords)
-(He was here)
(The King of kings)
(and Lord of Lords was here)
-(He was here)
(The King of kings)
(The Lord of lords)
-(He was here)
(The King of kings)
(and Lord of Lords was here)

And He will come again
For He was here
For He was here