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Luke第2章:8-20 : The Shepherds Visit Jesus in Bethlehem

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8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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Shepherds in the Fields

原作者: Junchol Lee

The Annunciation to the Shepherds, By Henry Ossawa Tanner - http://www.artnet.de/artist/16406/henry-ossawa-tanner.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4864375


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One of the most significant events, if not THE most significant event, in human history is the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior of humanity. Christ's birth had been prophesied by many, but it was Isaiah who gave us the fullest and most detailed description of the Messiah's coming. It is notable that besides Mary and Joseph, shepherds were the only individuals allowed to visit Jesus on the night of his birth. Why only shepherds? What is the spiritual significance of the shepherds? We will explore this question.

(参考: Isaiah 46:3)

来自斯威登堡的著作

 

Spiritual Experiences (Interim Diary)#4734

  
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4734. [4736.] About the educated of this century

It has been granted several times that the educated be present while I was writing those passages concerning the inner meaning of the Word, and immediately then darkness intervened, and also difficulty in understanding anything, without their aura [suggesting] that nothing at all was being understood - for their aura has this with it. But when those were present who were not educated, yet still had the power of comprehension, and had lived a good life, and held a position of dignity, then suddenly there was light, and the least details were understood. It was therefore granted me to speak with those educated persons, who now wanted to guide the writing. I told them that they pour in mere darkness, and take away all understanding of a matter. Even in their least words there was something commanding to think in their way and no other, for they do not allow themselves to be led. They imagine they surpass others, when yet they are the most unwise. But it was granted me to tell them that their mental imagery utterly conflicts with the imagery instilled into me from heaven, and that their imagery on the earthly level does not agree with it, but is such that it does not confirm, but rather destroys it, and therefore at their approach the imagery conflicts, causing that darkness, and due to the opposition, it is understandable to no one.

It was shown that when those who had been uneducated were present, there was light, and they understood everything down to the least detail, and it was granted me to tell that in the world, these things cannot be received by such educated people, but by those who are not educated, and that it is just like the case with the shepherds, who made known the birth of the Lord, that they were able to receive, and believe, and celebrate Him from the goodness of faith [Luke 2:8-20]. But this was not the case with the Rabbis, among whom, if an angel flowed in, he would at once be rejected, and destroyed - and that so it would be in the world with the inner meaning of the Word.

But if the educated were imbued with goodness, then they would be of such a mind to want to know truth, and thus allow themselves to be led, and to listen, but not to command, and then [truths] could be received. But those who were not imbued with goodness, are commanding, and never receive, for they love a life of evil, and confirm their own doctrinal principles - not with the end of becoming good, but with the end of becoming great and rich.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.