"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." - Luke 2:8-9
The advent season is special, focusing our thoughts on the birth of our Savior and preparing our hearts to worship the new born King, we try to make things different and unique. As we started off the advent season bible study I encouraged the boys to incorporate some activities that would cause them to make the readings and this season a little richer. I sent them a list of suggestions, things like listening to Christmas music, making some cards for others, writing a letter to Jesus, taking a prayer walk, etc... Quickly the boys responded and were receptive to the overall idea but also informed me that "Ghana men don't do those types of things." I agreed some were more "American" and asked what would appeal to them more. It took all of 1 minute for them to say "Let's kill a goat" Laughing, at the colliding of cultures that so often takes place in this ministry the wheels in my head started to turn.
In Ghana slaughtering a goat/sheep is often done in big celebrations so this was a reasonable thought! Then the Lord revealed how to make this truly meaningful, we would get a goat/sheep for a Christmas feast BUT we were going to get it early and they were going to have to see what it is like to be a shepherd caring for the sheep. They would have to care for it and feed it and as they do, take time to think about what those shepherds in the fields lives must have been like and even more importantly how does this help you understand how Jesus is our Good Shepherd. The boys loved this idea and so with the help of a friend who was outside the city we went shopping for goat! A few days later a nice large sheep was acquired and grazing in the yard at the house. God truly is making this advent memorable and unique for them! While this may seen odd and crazy to many here in the states for these young men it will hopefully be an advent activity that they will never forget.
Please pray that each of the young men will use this as a way to think more about the miracle of Christ birth and what that means to them. We desire this Christmas to be an encounter with Emmanuel like they have never had before just like the shepherds on that glorious night.
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