Luke 2:7-20 ~ Good News of Great Joy that will be for.... ALL THE PEOPLE †

Fat Tailed Sheep were the Sheep to have at the Turn of the Millenniums in Bethlehem

Bethlehem we can find some appropriate numbers on Shepherds...

When we look at vintage photos of Israel, the population change was not that great over the millenniums. So we are seeing "Bethlehem."

Luke 2:7-20

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

And the angel said to them, 

“Fear not, for behold, 

I bring you. 

 good news 

of great joy 

that will be for all the people."

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

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

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace
among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.



If we want to know more about the Shepherds - all we have to do is look to the facts. Today in Bethlehem, Israel we know the grazing was 30,000 Hectare Acres. And some of this land is available and set aside today as the Shepherd's Field.

Then we find the number of sheep is going to be entirely up to the amount of rainfall. Isaiah 7 tells us times are good for crops. So in a normal year the number of sheep per acre is 1.5 sheep. So 20,000 sheep.

Do we know in the Bible this is an acceptable,relevant number of sheep?

Job 42:12
12 So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

1 Kings 8:63
63 Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the Lord.

The 1596 A.D. Ottoman Tax Record and Census indicates Bethlehem's population of 1,435 - the 13th largest village. Populations didn't change much until this last century in most of Israel. Vintage Photography of Israel is very interesting.

So all we need now is to figure out how many shepherds there were.

And as an aside, we will wonder why Joseph fell out with his brothers, the Sons of Jacob/Israel, over a multi-colored coat? Another aspect of the problems between the 12 sons of Israel is found in the typical John Wayne Western. Ranchers and farmers have to co-exist in harmony. Joseph was interested in farming in a family of shepherds.

Jacob was described as an exceedingly rich man because he:

Genesis 30:43
Jacob possessed large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and asses” Genesis 30:43.


In the case of the rich man Nabal we find statistics:

1 Samuel 25:2
He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats

Animals were cared for and were: milk, meat, and fabrics (Isaiah 7:21-22; Proverbs 27:27; Deuteronomy 14:4; Leviticus 13:47; Exodus 25:4). The sheep provided wool for garments to keep out chilly nights and windy days. The goat provided bottles in which to store liquids. The uncut hide of either animal might have been the wineskin of Jesus’ parable (Mark 2:22 = Matthew 9:17 = Luke 5:37-38).

So how many shepherds were there for 20,000 Sheep? We know how many acres there are and how many sheep based on rainfall... what about Shepherds?

Now, we find out about the Shepherds. We don't know the number of the Shepherds. This explains the social status of the Shepherds.

Shepherding - It depends on this: how profitable has ranching been? Rain again. The New Testament records about 100 to 1. But we can see Bethlehem might fall in the category of 1 to 1000 sheep because Bethlehem doesn't have many sheep hiding places. Both David and Samson provide lonely, animal wildlife threatens lone shepherds in the day. Lions.

We know some families have small flocks and the children shepherd. While other Biblical families only Shepherd.
1400 people. Women do Shepherd like Rachael and Leah. Moses's Wife.

1400 people. Aged people. Children. Farmers. An easy terrain.
About 4 to 9 human births a month. Herod would find 40 innocents.

Labor force would be about 500. Sufficient small farming. And Household chores for gathering, cooking and cleaning.
And then you'd have farmers, lots of Farming in Israel on the terraces of hills.
So guessing... 250 shepherd. Then you'd have day Shepherds and more Night Time Safety from Predators Shepherds. The guess would be 150 night time Shepherds looking over a large, easy field. Spread out in military precision with some usual campfires.

Northern Lights are surprisingly found in Florida.

Suddenly...

Keeping watch over the field. This doesn't say ravines and crevices. A field is easy to view.

The Shepherds are Biding in the field. Thinking of home, of family, of shelter, of a warm place to sleep.

The Birth of Jesus is recorded to be at Night. Jesus the Light of the world arrives. Dark is not dark to the Lord, but Light arrives to remove the darkness. Light has overcome darkness.

The Glory of God shone around them.

The valley 30,000 acres

The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear

And the angel said to them, 

“Fear not, for behold, 

I bring you. 

 good news 

of great joy 

that will be for all the people."

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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

among those with whom he is pleased!”

The entire field could hear. This does not say:

The Shepherds of Jesse, of the western fork
the Shepherds of Obed, the Shepherds of Boaz, the southeastern stream
the Shepherds of Salmon, the Shepherds of Nahshon, the rocky northern branch
the Shepherds of Amminadab, the Shepherds of Ram, the lower portion near the fork in the stream
the Shepherds of Hezron, the Shepherds of Perez, the upper field
the Shepherds of Judah, 34 the Shepherds of Jacob!

Hear O Israel, The Lord Thy God is ONE!
The Shepherds Heard. The One Voice and the Multitude of Heaven.

Ask yourself an Important Question:

How are the  multitude of the Heavenly Host not going to fill 30,000 Hectare acres????????

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace

among those with whom he is pleased!”

The Shepherds of 30,000 Acres Heard.

The Children of Israel in the Exodus were echoes by Paul to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 12
18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg -

The Voice of the New Covenant.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

The Messiah of God Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 31:33; Jeremiah 32:39–40; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26–27; Deuteronomy 10:16

33  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,

 declares the LORD: 

I will put my law within them, and I will write it ton their hearts.

 And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

I will give them one heart and one way, that they may reverence me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. 

I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that

I will not turn away from doing good to them.

Who are the Shepherds headed to find Jesus?

Matthew 4:16

The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, 
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, 
on them a light has dawned.

Luke 2
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

The first day of Jesus' ministry:

Mark 1
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33
The whole town gathered at the door,



The Population for Capernaum was 1,500 people. Gathered at the door of Jesus. All of them. The first day of Jesus' ministry.

We don't know the Shepherds. The sheep maintained per acre were more important studies. Explaining the Shepherds to the eyes of the world. We just know instead what the care givers were to Father God. And based upon the attendance of the First Day of the Ministry of Jesus - they probably heard from the Words of the Shepherds. No one forgets a Multitude of Heavenly Host.

Abba,

We ask in the Name of Jesus to go forth in the Love, Mercy, Peace and Joy

of Your Plan, Hope and Future.

Caring and Covering those we Love in Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Proverbs 8:27 ~ He established

Proverbs 8:27

When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep.

When did Paul ever encounter a circle of the deep? With a variation of the meaning 'deep', Paul knew the ship he was traveling on, was headed to circle the deep and remain forever in the shallow of shipwreck.

And how did Paul handle the shipwreck? He believed God was sovereign. And God was in charge. Being God's chosen of the Acts of the Apostles, demonstrating God would continue to believe in His Children after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Paul did nobly. Paul endured, developed character and his hope was secure.


Faith - says God knew how His Words would tell us there are circles of the deep unseen by Bible authors. Paul understood his journey would continue. We can take our flaws, struggles, weaknesses and rest ourselves upon Father God.

And just stepping into the Vacation Photos helps us take us out of our routine and remember the Goodness of God to encourage us always. The Larger Picture God gives us.

Father God, we rely upon You. when we are tired, when we are frustrated. And wait to feel renewed. In Jesus. 

And we know Elliott and Harby are so pleased to have help from God and new medical treatments and would like to be home. Wayne would like to be treated and go home well, Dee would like this. And all the people traveling would like to be at the destination safely and home again safely.

Bless us with Jesus continually daily. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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John 15:1-12 ~ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:1-12

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.



A day to God is thousands of years. And God's Will is Good.

Our God will supply our every need.


This week, our friend Elliott is well enough to have his own stem cell transplant. His Doctor is so pleased with the cancer numbers falling to zero. Our friends who remember Harby and Elliott living here have been diligently thanking God for giving Elliott this miracle. Our friend Wayne would have prayers for his pacemaker trying to leave his body on its own. Wayne has had a time lately where he has been ill, but recovered each time. A family close to Edward lost their son and they had a funeral today. I didn't attend, not only was I coughing things up, but having lost a daughter - I couldn't face a child funeral at Christmas.

We've heard that if we have enough belief, we have answered prayer. I would say this is true, but the answers are in God's Time.

One of the reasons we use Garland at Christmas is to remember God has created a vine in us, where there was no vine.

Elijah prayed 7 times and was heard. Jesus told us to pray impudently even at the time we are thinking prayer would finish.

There is an important aspect to prayer. The Lord's Prayer calls us to remember God's Will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

The Children of God know this. The children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The answer to Prayer is God's. David said never give up on God's Mercy. No matter our difficulties God is fully capable. Father God is willing.


During the Black Plague, the children of God could not read the Scriptures, nor know Latin. And when one Child of God heard God had 'Given', the Child of God had a moment of Live Changing Holy Spirit. That God Himself would remember a human being, a flower of the field. To be Given. And Given Jesus the Son of God is astonishing.

I met a man once who had a very difficult life and the fact of the 1500 A.D. unexplained art of The Virgin of Guadalupe changed his life.God had Given.

The Gratitude of God's Wonders are transforming. God can provide us signs, miracles and wonders and if we do not have appreciation - God has provided and we have not had gratitude. We can rejoice for a day with answered prayer and the next day let circumstance bring us to tears. Would Father God feel distaste? God is Father. His Word tells us the Power of God. God is Steadfast. The Disciples were worried, afraid, confused walking with the exact Nature of God Himself, Jesus. God never gave up on these men in the frailty of life.

The blind could see, the deaf hear and the Disciples were worried. We don't know what happened to all of the Disciples with great clarity, and yet what Jesus said would become an Amazing Wonder of God - Christianity itself and 325 years war on His Word - brings us to the fact Jesus was correct about the Temple, the Church and His Steadfast Love.

Not our vines, which are in the ground. Just a pretty.

This week we've seen 25' to 29' temperatures. We've covered plants with care and prayed. I prayed for God to show me that all of life's troubles will not separate me from God's Love Abiding in my life. I prayed for the fulfillment of God's Word in my life. I prayed for mercy and joy and Love. And as I went to sleep I prayed for our potato vines to stay intact. The Vines are resilient and come back slowly and with tenacity in spring. But I prayed to see them the day after the frost. Gardens around us had white frost on the garden and leaves curled shut to hope for spring. And our Potato Vine was showing signs of wear, but still vigorous. God had shown Love to the vines. I've seen this happen before and I know Christians tell of Father God sparing Roses. And other plants. His mercy.. As He did in the Garden of Rita.

And the next day was glorious joy and the day after filled with important prayer needs. Wondering about how we hold on to Gratitude. Asking Father God to help us hold on to Gratitude.

We live with amazing Wonders of God and each day have frailty. The Children of God - we are. And today and tomorrow, God Himself our Father will have us walk in His Light. God Himself will help us to feel His Love where our soul will Live to Eternity in Jesus. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life - where fragile humans learn to walk and to live and be brave and try again.

The garlands of Christmas are usually not vines, but in desire to please God, this is a Vine. Because we Live in His Steadfast Love, where He feeds us and He visits us. We Love because He loves us. Jesus saw you hungry and fee you, or thirsty and gave you something to drink.Jesus never saw you as a stranger and He invites you in. Jesus saw your needing clothes and clothed you. Jesus saw you sick or in prison and Jesus was always with you.


Abba,

Thank You for Your continued and daily Mercies. Thank You for Your Willingness.

We ask Your blessings for Elliott and his stem cell transplant - all the cells grown in Your Name - Jesus. We pray for Dee and Wayne for strength and health. Knowing how dearly You love Your Children. And we feel Your comfort.

We pray for Edward's friend who has lost his child. For the child's mother to have Your Comfort. And in the coming time, we know You will provide Peace and Healing as the Prodigal found all of his life was a process. This family are Children of God and You will find Their Way, Truth and Life. You will Light their Path. And bring them Life in Ephesians 3 to live together again.

We pray for the Children of God to have your wisdom, Love and Strength to fill our lives with Joy. To be able to reach past the frailty of life and Find You. To live in Joy, Peace and Love.

To abide in You and know we are chosen to be part of Your Vine. Thank you for feeding us, giving us Living Water, to invite us known through and through to Your Kingdom, You have clothed us and in our soul. Help us to help others and to know Your help in our gratitude.

You are for the Salvation of the world. When we see Your creation is Good, we understand what is fragile and what is enduring and find Peace, Love and Joy.

Cover us in the Name of Jesus as Children of God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Psalm 30 ~ O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Bethlehem has become more of a bustling city in the last 100 years. The suburbs still tell us of the area Joseph guided Mary towards.

Caesar Augustus received backing because he was such an accountant and tax official. It's amazing Caesar Augustus didn't send the men into Jerusalem to be counted for tax purposes. Augustus was so sure of his Empire, he sent the tribes to their original cities to be counted in the back water provinces. Rome considered Judea to be a suburb of Syria. And Bethlehem... so rural...

Micah 5:2
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.

Bethlehem had been forsaken by the Line of David. Too rural. Forsaken - just like the Throne of Judea. In fact there is prophecy that when the King of Israel begins representing themselves with images...the throne would be overthrown.

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Mary made comment on this attitude and this wealth.

Luke 1

And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

Jesus would deny Herod a requested visit calling Herod a shrewd and showy fox.

Yet No One has forgotten the Shepherd's Field

Or the Stables of Bethlehem cut into the hills.

Psalm 30

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the Temple.

Merry Christmas, Jesus is the Temple of His Father.

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up

and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me.

3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;

you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

A young pregnant girl travels 70 miles to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Was her family hoping for the safety of the journey?

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

5 For his anger is but for a moment,

and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,

“I shall never be moved.”

7 By your favor, O Lord,

you made my mountain stand strong;

you hid your face;

I was dismayed.

Nazareth lived as the Jews lived. If a family had been in one area, each generation added on to the house and lived with family. Mary lived with her family and was betrothed to the Line of David. She could anticipate a life of hard work - but this was an advantageous match.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,

and to the Lord I plead for mercy:

9 “What profit is there in my death,

if I go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise you?

Will it tell of your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!

O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness

12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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