WE HAVE SEEN ANGELS. (to be read on Dec 26)
(Continued from A CHILD IS BORN)
Atop the hills, shepherds sat around a blazing fire, their sheep huddled together in the pen. They had no homes in the village for the people there could not bear the stench of the sheep.
Having eaten a simple meal of bread and water, they were preparing to rest. Each one would take turns at different hours of the night to watch out for wolves or thieves.
Nathan was the first chosen to guard the sheep. He stationed himself by the sheep gate. The others lay down their tired bodies to sleep till their turn came.
It was around midnight when Nathan heard sweet voices singing. Wondering who could be out here on such a cold night, and singing at that, he stood upright. Suddenly, the sky was aglow with sparkling lights, and amidst the shimmering ribbons descended a host of angels.
Terrified at the strange intruders, Nathan backed away and ran in the direction of the other shepherds, too frightened to speak. He fell over one of them, waking him up. And soon, all of them awoke to a glorious sight.
The angels flitted back and forth around the pen, startling the sheep as well. They were singing but the words were strange. The shepherds didn't know what to do.
Then an angel drew near the shepherds and announced, "DO NOT BE AFRAID! I am here with good news for you. This very day in Bethlehem, your Saviour was born, Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you. You will find a baby, wrapped in swaddling cloths. You must hasten to see him."
A baby? In swaddling cloths? How strange! Only a lamb without blemish was wrapped in swaddling cloths. Was this a lamb they were speaking of?
"You will find him with Mary his mother in a stable, lying in a manger. Go, seek and you will find Him"
As the shepherds made haste down the hill with the sheep ahead of them, they could hear the angels singing and now they understood what they were saying.
"Glory to God in the Highest. Peace on earth to People of Goodwill."
(Sing the carol 'Angels We Have Heard on High' before continuing the story)
As the shepherds neared the village, they hesitated, knowing they were not welcome. But their desire to see the Saviour soon overcame all fear and it was a sight to see a thousand sheep and their keepers tiptoe silently and make their way to the stable. How did they know where to go, you may well ask. I wondered about that too but that's not important. Lets get to what really is.
As they reached the door and peeped in, Joseph looked up and beckoned them to come in. The sheep were all standing in the perfect formation of a star outside but two wee lambs crept in along with the shepherds.
Mary smiled tenderly at the shepherds then at her own baby who would one day become the LAMB.
"Come and worship your Saviour." she said in a soft voice that reminded them of the angels singing.
As the shepherds knelt, Nathan took a lily of the valley and presented it to Joseph. The little baby looked at Nathan and suddenly the stable was filled with a radiant light. Then it was gone just as suddenly as it appeared.
The two naughty lambs drew near to the manger and sniffed at it, as if to say,"This is no lamb. This is a human." But when the baby looked at them, their hearts melted and they bleated with joy.
Hearing this, the ox and donkeys too let out their praises and Joseph, knowing that it was time, let them out so they could worship the baby too.
Well, children, that's enough excitement for one night, don't you think? We must all go back to bed, but not before I tell you that there's going to be another night soon, just as special. A night full of surprises and gifts!! When? Soon, very soon.
#aceseasonofjoy
@copyrightaurrsa
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