Have you had the experience of a sudden insight from something very familiar? Maybe you’ve heard or seen it all your life, but something new jumps out at you? This is what happened to me during Christmas caroling when we sang the well-known, favorite hymn, “What Child Is This,” composed in 1871 by William Chatterton Dix. The role and action that Dix gave the shepherds in this hymn is what jumped out at me because it isn’t described that way in the gospel story.
While Matthew’s Gospel tells of the Magi bringing their treasures to the Christ Child, only the Gospel of Luke includes the shepherds in Jesus’ birth narrative. “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (2:8)
We all know how this familiar story plays out with the sudden appearance of angels. Though I’d sung Dix’s Christmas carol since I was a child, what I’d never noticed is how he elevated the role of these lowly shepherds. They go from watching their sheep in the fields (as Luke tells) to keeping watch over the Christ Child (as Dix tells); from guarding a flock of animals to guarding Christ the King.
What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.
I was struck by Dix’s poetic imagination. The Gospel of Luke says nothing whatsoever about the shepherds watching over and guarding the Christ Child. But there they are, in Dix’s heart, getting equal billing with the angels! They become watchful guardians of this infant who is our Good Shepherd, our Guardian.
“Behold, the guardian of Israel
never slumbers nor sleeps.
The Lord will guard you from all evil;
He will guard your soul.” (Psalm 121:4, 7)
While the Lord constantly guards our souls, we are expected to stand sentinel as well.
“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent, the devil is prowling around
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, steadfast in faith…” (1 Peter 5:8)
The shepherds had to stay alert to protect their sheep from wild animal attacks at night and marauding thieves. So, I also want to stay spiritually attentive to the Divine life within me. The hymnist Dix urged us shepherds to make haste to give heartfelt praise and submission to Christ the King. Yet, I know all too well that I am a flawed shepherd, not as watchful (or willing!) a guardian of my heart as I’d like to be, not much haste to the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict understood human weakness. So, he urged his monks to encourage one another with all kindness and patience. When we notice slackness or a wayward heart within ourselves, we are helped by the Good Shepherd and the good zeal of our community to make new beginnings.
On December 31 every year, our community observes a Day of Recollection. On January 1 every new year, we begin again with the Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict, reading and reflecting on a portion of the Rule each day. Every Sunday evening during Vespers, we pray Psalm 141 which includes this verse: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” We are acknowledging our constant need for the Good Shepherd’s help guarding what we say (and don’t say) and how we say it. The ancient Psalmist knew well, too, this challenge in building loving relationships and holy living.
Thank you, William Chatterton Dix, for your imaginative rendering of the lowly shepherds’ role in the Christmas story and in our faithful discipleship.
By Sister Sara Aiden Burress, OSB