Christmas Reflection — The Shepherd Who Draws Near

A Reflection on the Shepherd Who Cares Enough to See and Lift

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”— John 10:14 (ESV)

“He restores my soul.”— Psalm 23:3 (ESV)

That this Shepherd came at Christmas — and still draws near — matters.

The good news was first given to shepherds — men who knew what it meant to watch through the night and lift what could not stand on its own.

Before Jesus ever spoke of being the Good Shepherd, He came near. He came looking.

Rescue did not begin when we cried out. Grace arrived while the world was still unaware.

There is a quiet danger sheep know well — the moment they become cast. Not wounded. Not wandering. Just… overturned.

A cast sheep lies on its back, legs helpless, unable to right itself. The weight of its own body works against it. And in that position, something important is often true: a cast sheep often cannot cry out.

Rescue does not come because the sheep calls loudly enough. It comes because the shepherd is watching.

Philip Keller writes that a good shepherd walks the fields attentively — not only scanning for predators or straying sheep, but watching closely for the one that has fallen silently and cannot get back up.

Rescue depends on the shepherd knowing his sheep and watching closely. This is not a rescue rooted in performance or strength. It is rooted in being known.

Sometimes we are cast — overturned by life, exhaustion, fear, shock, or moments that arrive without warning.

Not because we were careless… Not because we wandered too far.

But because we are fragile creatures living in a world that can suddenly tilt.

In those moments, self-rescue is not possible. And this is where grace comes close.

Jesus does not only guide us when we are steady enough to follow. He comes for us when we are silent, stunned, or unable to ask for help. He lifts before danger reaches us. He restores what fear has interrupted. He steadies us before setting us upright again.

And He does this not only as Shepherd — but as King.

The One who reigns is the One who rescues. The One who rules is the One who stays close enough to see.

If life or circumstances have left you unable to get up today, listen to this gentle truth:

You are not overlooked because you cannot cry for help. You are not unseen because you were momentarily helpless.

You are known — and watched — and held.

Rescue does not depend on your strength. It depends on the Shepherd who never stops watching.

The Shepherd who lifts the cast sheep is the Child laid in a manger.

A Gentle Invitation

If you have never known God as Shepherd — if faith feels unfamiliar, distant, or shaped by fear rather than care — this image may still speak to you.

The Shepherd Jesus describes does not wait for perfect belief or strong words. He comes close to those who are overturned, shaken, or unsure how to ask for help.

You do not need to know the right prayers. You do not need to understand everything yet.

You only need to be willing to be found.

If today you find yourself lying still, unsure how to get up, you can simply whisper, “Father, if You are there, please help me.”

The Shepherd knows how to respond to even that.

Prayer

Father, You are my Shepherd. Thank You for seeing me even when I cannot cry out. Thank You for watching closely when I am overturned, shaken, or unable to steady myself.

When fear steals my breath and strength leaves my limbs, remind me that Your rescue does not wait for my words. Lift me where I cannot rise. Restore what has been interrupted.

Steady my heart before I try to walk again. Help me trust that I am known — not because of what I do, but because I belong to You.

I place my life in Your care, under Your watchful eye.

I pray this in the name of Your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.