As the noise of the crowd moved closer, Bert, Irma and Mabel backed away into the darkness near the back of the stable.
Just before the group entered - in bounced a playful little ram. He bounded about in such a way that his joy brought excitement to everyone.
“Scully!” Bert exclaimed. He turned to his cohorts, “It’s my nephew, Scully!”
“Scully, what are you doing here? – the Shepherd will be looking all over for you – now you just get back out there in the field where you belong!” he scolded.
“He’s coming,” the smaller ram interrupted “he’s right behind me – we’re all coming!”
Scully explained how that an angel had appeared to them in the fields and announced that God had come to earth to be born a Man-child!
At that moment Bert looked up and his eyes met those of his devoted shepherd. The man was visibly shaken.
The shepherd slowly approached the feeding trough where the Child lay. He lowered his head. Bert could see tears running down his face as he dropped to his knees.
And for one moment, a familiar look passed across the eyes of the shepherd.
Bert knew he had seen that look before.
It was the same look he saw in each and every sheep of his flock when their eyes met the eyes of the shepherd. Bert was sure the same look could be seen in his own eyes.
But why would his shepherd feel such devotion for another human – and a helpless baby at that?
He thought that perhaps he should get another look at the Child – maybe he missed something.
Bert moved to the feeding trough unafraid this time, since he knew his shepherd was near.
Then the realization came to Bert as well. And when he realized that this Baby was heavenly Royalty, he forgot all about his hunger; he forgot about how he was separated from his flock; he forgot about the conditions of sharing a stable with other animals and people.
He had come to earth.
Bert’s shepherd gently stroked the curls of his head, and gave an answer to his questioning eyes.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, little ram.” and with that, Bert understood why the shepherd had displayed such a look of devotion.
Bert’s shepherd was oldest and wisest of all the clan of shepherds, and he raised his eyes to heaven and spoke in something of a mix between a prayer and a proclamation:
“All we, like sheep have gone astray. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of us all. . . surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . . for unto us is born this day – a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord! . . . yes, the Lord is my Shepherd!”
After some time with his shepherd, Bert returned to the dark recesses of the stable where Irma and Mabel watched. The shepherds were returning and he would be going with them.
“It’s Him!” Bert said to Mabel,
“Christ, the Lord – Christ, the Lord” Irma repeated.
And for a second time, Mabel stopped her chewing and her steady gaze melted into a smile.
The End.
Just before the group entered - in bounced a playful little ram. He bounded about in such a way that his joy brought excitement to everyone.
“Scully!” Bert exclaimed. He turned to his cohorts, “It’s my nephew, Scully!”
“Scully, what are you doing here? – the Shepherd will be looking all over for you – now you just get back out there in the field where you belong!” he scolded.
“He’s coming,” the smaller ram interrupted “he’s right behind me – we’re all coming!”
Scully explained how that an angel had appeared to them in the fields and announced that God had come to earth to be born a Man-child!
At that moment Bert looked up and his eyes met those of his devoted shepherd. The man was visibly shaken.
The shepherd slowly approached the feeding trough where the Child lay. He lowered his head. Bert could see tears running down his face as he dropped to his knees.
And for one moment, a familiar look passed across the eyes of the shepherd.
Bert knew he had seen that look before.
It was the same look he saw in each and every sheep of his flock when their eyes met the eyes of the shepherd. Bert was sure the same look could be seen in his own eyes.
But why would his shepherd feel such devotion for another human – and a helpless baby at that?
He thought that perhaps he should get another look at the Child – maybe he missed something.
Bert moved to the feeding trough unafraid this time, since he knew his shepherd was near.
Then the realization came to Bert as well. And when he realized that this Baby was heavenly Royalty, he forgot all about his hunger; he forgot about how he was separated from his flock; he forgot about the conditions of sharing a stable with other animals and people.
He had come to earth.
Bert’s shepherd gently stroked the curls of his head, and gave an answer to his questioning eyes.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, little ram.” and with that, Bert understood why the shepherd had displayed such a look of devotion.
Bert’s shepherd was oldest and wisest of all the clan of shepherds, and he raised his eyes to heaven and spoke in something of a mix between a prayer and a proclamation:
“All we, like sheep have gone astray. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of us all. . . surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . . for unto us is born this day – a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord! . . . yes, the Lord is my Shepherd!”
After some time with his shepherd, Bert returned to the dark recesses of the stable where Irma and Mabel watched. The shepherds were returning and he would be going with them.
“It’s Him!” Bert said to Mabel,
“Christ, the Lord – Christ, the Lord” Irma repeated.
And for a second time, Mabel stopped her chewing and her steady gaze melted into a smile.
The End.
No comments:
Post a Comment