When I was a little girl, I once asked my grandmother what made her the happiest. “Watching my grandkids open their Christmas presents,” she quickly replied. I never understood what she meant when I was a kid. Wasn't it better to receive a gift than to give one? After all, I love getting presents. As a parent, I understand now what she meant. There's a special kind of joy that results from watching your child receive—and explode with joy—once they have opened the gift they wanted the most.
Shepherds are leaders of their flock. This means shepherds must feed and care for their sheep, while making sure they stay out of trouble. However, sheep can easily go astray when they are distracted by the wrong things. In Psalm 23:1-4, David calls God our shepherd. He says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
We can all agree that Christmas is for giving. But sometimes the best gifts we give don't come in the form of wrapped presents under a tree. For those of us with a shepherd's heart, we can give in different ways this holiday season. Here are some ways to have a shepherd's heart this Christmas:
1. Protect People’s Mental Health
Since the pandemic, mental health issues have been on the rise. The United States is experiencing some of the highest rates of depression and anxiety in its history. Not only do people struggle to cope with these mental health issues during most days of the year, the consumeristic nature of Christmas and the pressure to buy the perfect gift can bring on additional stress, which triggers depression and anxiety. One way we can be a shepherd to those who have mental health issues is to protect them. Reassure people they don't have to get the perfect gift to make their friends and family happy. Encourage them with some positive qualities that you see in them. Boost their self-esteem by letting them know they are enough. Even if they must make homemade gifts this year, the fact that it comes from the heart is what matters most.
2. Comfort the Hurting
A shepherd's job is also to care for a sheep's injury. This means a shepherd must nurse the sheep back to health so it can be an optimal shape. In the same way, people are hurting. The holidays often trigger pain, especially for those who have lost loved ones, jobs or are experiencing health crises. Holidays give the illusion that the holiday must be perfect to be enjoyed. However, in this broken world in which we live, that is far from the case. Difficult family members, financial hardships, and other factors can cause the holiday season to be difficult—and sometimes traumatic—for those going through rough times. Comfort someone who is hurting by simply being a listening ear. Become a counselor by simply listening to their experiences and sitting with them in their pain. Job experienced difficult circumstances, but his friends made the situation worse. By assuming he had done something to trigger the bad experience, his friends heaped shame and guilt on top of everything else he was experiencing. Sometimes, the best gift we can give is the gift of comfort. Remove people’s shame by letting them know who Christ is and that he loves them no matter what situation they are in. By being present with them, we demonstrate the presence of Jesus with them, even if Jesus is not physically there with them.
3. Feed the Sheep
We can feed those who are physically hungry by volunteering our time at the local shelter or food pantry. The holidays can be an especially difficult time as people require large amounts of food to accommodate family members for special dinners. We can feed those
who are spiritually hungry by loving people right where they are. We can feed people who are hungry know Jesus more by starting a Bible study or prayer time with them. In this technologically advanced world, people are starving for connection more than ever before. We can be this connection by simply being present with them, teaching them the word of God, and allowing them to apply it to their daily lives. This simple act of discipleship could be the best way to shepherd people.
4. Represent Jesus Well
To love others, we must first love ourselves. That means we must be as spiritually, physically, and emotionally healthy as possible. Be sure to do the soul work necessary to ensure we are in the best health possible. This will allow us to be the best shepherd Jesus needs us to be to help those in need. Immerse yourself in the word, practice silence and solitude and other spiritual disciplines. Spend time with the Lord in prayer each day. Even in the days when you only have fifteen minutes to spare, use those minutes to commune with the Lord. Sometimes, the best way we can share with people is to be the best example of Jesus we can possibly be.
5. Meet People’s Needs
Jesus spent the majority of his ministry time meeting people's needs. He drove out demons, healed the sick, and preached the gospel to those who were willing to hear it. A shepherd meets the needs of his flock. He gives them water, feeds them, and leads them to the best pastures. He cares for them in every way so that every need is met. In the same way, Jesus cares for us and is our good shepherd. He meets our needs in every way. One way we can be a shepherd to others is to meet people's needs. Assess the needs of your local church body. Are there people who are hurting financially? Do you have some money to spare to give them to make their holiday a little better? Are there people experiencing loneliness or health crises during this time? Invite them to your holiday dinner or visit them during the holidays. Send them a card letting them know you care. Sometimes, this simple act of a written note will brighten someone's day. Think of the ways people have blessed you and express that to them, whether in a phone call or an e-mail. People can be a blessing when they have been blessed.
Jesus asked us to be like him on earth. This includes being a shepherd. Jesus did nothing that he didn't already see his father doing. In the same way, if God is a shepherd to his people, he wants us to shepherd others. Pinpoint the needs within your church body or local community. Seek to do what you can to meet them. Although you may not see an immediate reward or appreciation for what you've done, in the end, you are making an eternal impact on this world, and you will be better for it.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/petrenkod
Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and a certified writing coach. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.