The Shepherds

Natus est Dominus meus Jesus, et angelus descendit de coelo annuntians nativitatem ejus. Videamus itaque quem quaesierit, ut ejus nuntiaret adventum. Non venit Jerosolymam, non quaesivit Scribas et Pharisaeos, non synagogam ingressus est Judaeorum, sed pastores reperit super greges suos vigilias excubantes, eisque loquitur: ' Natus est hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus.' Putasne nihil aliud divinus Scripturarum sermo significat, sed tantum hoc quod ad pastores venerit angelus et eis locutus sit? Audite, pastores Ecclesiarum, pastores Dei, quod semper angelus ejus descendant e coelo, et annuntiet vobis quoniam natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus. Etenim pastores Ecclesiarum, nisi ille pastor venerit, per se bene gregem servare non poterunt, infirma est eorum custodia, nisi Christus cum eis paverit atque servaverit. Dudum in Apostolo lectum est, Dei cooperatores sumus. Pastor bonus, qui imitatur pastorem bonum, cooperator est Dei et Christi. Et propterea pastor bonus est, qui habet secum pastorem optimum compascentem sibi. Origenes, Homiliae in Lucam, Homilia XII, Interprete Sancto Hieronymo

Born is my Lord Jesus and an angel has descended from heaven announcing his nativity. Let us see whom the angel sought to announce his coming. He did not come to Jerusalem, he did not seek out Scribes and Pharisees, he did not enter a Synagogue, but finding shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, he said to them, ' Today is born a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.'1 Do you think that the words of Scripture signify nothing more, but only that the angel came to the shepherds and spoke to them? Listen, shepherds of the Churches, shepherds of God, his angel always descends from heaven and announces to you that today is born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. For the shepherds of the Churches, unless that shepherd comes, will not be able to protect their flock well, their guard being weak unless Christ pastures and protects along with them . A little while ago the Apostle was read, saying, ' We are coworkers with God.'2 A good shepherd who imitates the good shepherd is a coworker with God and Christ. And he is a good shepherd because he has working with him the best shepherd. Origen, Homilies on Luke, Homily 12, Translated by Saint Jerome. 1 Lk 2. 8 2 1 Cor 3.9