A Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a fun activity but they do require a lot of energy plus a good eye as I found out when my teen group was given a list of items we needed to complete. Our biggest challenge was the fact that it all had to be caught on video via the camcorder we were given(those were the days before cell phones had good cameras!). I remember going all over town, from the local mall where one of the guys had to propose to a manikin (definitely memorable) to having to get three cars to honk (slightly embarrassing). In many ways scavenger hunts are designed to create memories and encourage us to do something we never did. On the first Christmas so many years ago there was a group of shepherds who were about to go on the first Christmas scavenger hunt only theirs would lead to a life changing encounter.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8
Though they are key to any Christmas play, the shepherds rarely have a leading role or even a speaking part. I believe the sheep are more noticed than they are and get a bonus line or two. In the Gospel of Luke, however, these simple keepers of the flocks are critical to the story and teach us something about pursuing truth. 
A list of clues
That first Christmas night started out like any other boring evening as these sheep guardians prepared for another round of guard duty over their fluffy companions. They never could have guessed the events they would witness, ones that would be retold and replayed for thousands of years. They had no idea of the impact it would have on the world. Perhaps what would amaze readers more than anything is the fact that they were even part of it at all. These were shepherds, no one of importance yet they were the chosen audience to hear the news that the Prince of Peace had finally come to earth as well as the first to declare the news of Jesus’ birth to the world. Though considered a lower or inferior class by many, they were anything but as they took in the heavenly message. They immediately understood that the Lord had revealed a great revelation to them.
“…Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Luke 2:15
They didn’t pause to wonder if this was really true, that what they had seen was perhaps a figment of their imagination. They saw and believed without question or reservation. This realization led them to forsake their flock, their livelihood, in order to pursue the truth of what had just been told to them by the angel. They walked away from their responsibility to see a miracle, a promise fulfilled. What is interesting to note is the fact that while the angel told them to go and see he did not give them a direct address, only a few clues. 

• Born this day - they were looking for a newborn child
• City of David - born in their town of Bethlehem
• Swaddling clothes - not typical attire for a baby born at home which could indicate that the parents were here for the census making them travelers 
• Lying in a manger - the child was not in a house but a shelter for animals

It was as if the angel had given them a scavenger hunt and who better to participate than shepherds, men used to seeking the lost? Maybe that is one reason why God told the shepherds the news, He knew they would go and seek, just like they did their own sheep. Shepherds were used to looking and finding and now they sought to find the Lamb of God, who came to take away the sin of the world including theirs.
Consider what was involved in this scavenger hunt, after all, they did not have a star to guide them as the wise men did. They had to look all over town asking, seeking, and knocking. What a sight they made, these humble shepherds going around looking for a newborn baby who fit the exact description given them by the angel. True to their trade, these shepherds diligently sought to find the Babe and when they did they were quick to tell others. 
May we follow the example of these lowly shepherds who left all behind in order to pursue the truth of the heavenly message. We too have been given the good tidings of Jesus Christ, the redeemer of all people and tasked with the same mission as these Bethlehem flock keepers:
“And when they had see it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Luke 2:17
May we be willing to leave behind whatever is holding us back. May we be discerners of truth just as they were and always be in relentless pursuit. Let’s be busy making the Good News known abroad this Christmas and all year long telling other lost sheep that the Good Shepherd has come for them!