December 13: Rise Up Shepherd and Follow

Third Week of Advent: Joy
December 13: Rise Up Shepherd and Follow (African American Spiritual)

Read Luke 2:8-20

What must it have been like for the shepherds the night Jesus was born? Out in the fields with their sheep, stoking a fire as the temperature dropped. Something strange was already in the air – was that a new star in the sky? Suddenly an angel is before them and the whole sky lit up in a glorious and holy way. Shuttering with fear they heard the angel’s announcement “Don’t be afraid – I’ve got great news – the Savior is born in Bethlehem! Rise up Shepherds – go and see!” And they did! They left their flocks, the sheep and the lambs, the goats and the rams and went. And it was just as the angels said it would be. And they returned to their fields glorifying and praising God.

The shepherds were blessed to receive news of the Savior in such an unexpected way. And they dropped everything and went to see Him. They did indeed rise up and follow the word of the angels. This passage and this carol beckon us to rise up and follow too; to come into the Savior’s presence this Christmas with eagerness and curiosity. The angels call to us, to wake up from our complacency, to step out of the dark corners of our world, to take a leap of faith and find out more about this Jesus called the Savior of the world. He is the Savior for all nations, throughout the generations. He’s your Savior, too. 

So – rise up and follow!

Sue Gunderson
Retired LCMC Pastor

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There's a star in the East on Christmas morn 
Rise up, shepherd, and follow 
It will lead to the place where the babe is born 
Rise up shepherd, and follow 
Leave your flocks and leave your lamb 
Rise up shepherd, and follow 
Leave your sheep and leave your ram 
Rise up, shepherd, and follow 

Follow, follow Rise up, shepherd, and follow 
Follow the star to Bethlehem 
Rise up, shepherd, and follow 

If you take good heed of the angel's word 
Rise up, shepherd, and follow 
You'll forget your flocks, [you'll] forget your herds 
Rise up, shepherd, and follow 
Leave your flocks and leave your lamb 
Rise up shepherd, and follow 
Leave your sheep and leave your rams 
Rise up, shepherd, and follow 


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