Advent 4. "The Shepherd's Tale"

  

A Seasonal story for the Sunday before Christmas
Readings: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-17, Isaiah 7:10-16, Luke 2:8-20
Preached at Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, NY, December 19, 2021

My Goodness it was cold that night! There was myself, Joseph, Benjamin, and George (the one with the limp), all sitting together, our cloaks wrapped around us, warming our hands by the fire. Matthias should have been there, but as so often happened on these cold nights; he was missing. No doubt in the morning lie would have some good excuse, but, well, what a night to miss. None of us were ever the same again, I can tell you.        

Even now it is hard to put into words exactly what happened. To be honest it’s not that easy to talk about. Yet I remember it like it was yesterday.

The sheep were all close by, some grazing, mostly huddled together to keep warm. Apart from the cold, we were having a relatively easy night. At that time, we were in pastures on the hillside not far from Bethlehem. Though it was quiet in the hills, down in the town there was a hive of activity.

The emperor Augustus had ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire; Syria, being a part of it. At that time Quirinius was the governor, and everyone had to go to their own town to register.

Bethlehem’s one of those towns where, if you want to get on in the world, you move away. So, you see it was a problem, all these people descending upon the place - where would they all stay? As you can imagine, the town was alive with confusion. From where we sat around the fire, we could see the lights, flickering in the distance.

We discussed recent events that had taken place. Many were dissatisfied with their lot in life. They did not feel it was right that we should be overruled by the Romans, and those governing over us had made far too many concessions just to stay in office. Not that it affected us much. Shepherds we were, and shepherds we would stay regardless of who held power. Many thought themselves above our kind of work; afraid to get their hands dirty, that is what I think.

At times it was a messy business. Some shepherds in a neighboring province had been murdered by bandits after their sheep. Wolves were not too much of a problem to us. It was their effect upon the sheep. At times sheep can be stupid creatures. They never have a thought of defending themselves. While goats, on the appearance of a wolf will run together and form a solid mass, the sheep are immediately scattered and become easy meat.

It may sound strange to you, but we knew each of our sheep by pet names, usually given because of their appearance or character or because of some incident we associate with them. We had one called ‘Tumbledown’ because she was always falling over. Then there was Rahab, named because she had an expression of her face that reminded George (the one with the limp) of his grand-daughter, and Matthias, who, like her namesake should have been on the job that night - she was always going missing.

1 don’t recall precisely what time it was, but Benjamin and George were taking a walk, checking the flock, whilst Joseph and myself were into one of those late-night discussions all about the Messiah. The scriptures which we knew from when we were little lads, spoke about one who was going to come and save the nation of Israel from its oppressors “I wish he’d hurry up” I said jokingly.

It was a few moments after that - it happened. As suddenly and unexpectedly as a bolt of lightning from a blue sky. Everything lit up! But it was not daylight or sunlight, nor like the light you get from a flame. Just incredibly bright.

You should have seen Joseph’s face. It was a picture! His eyes were wide, he sat bolt upright, his jaw hung open. George and Benjamin had hit the deck, lying face down on the grass. I was just too petrified to move. “This is it”, I thought, “1 must be in heaven or somewhere”!

The strangest thing was the sheep. They had not pounced; they had not scattered; they were carrying on like nothing had happened. As we became accustomed to the light, I noticed there was someone standing there! He spoke quietly. “Don’t be afraid, it’s alright. Don’t be scared, look, it’s alright, don’t be afraid”.

Joseph relaxed - dropped his shoulders and shut his mouth. George and Benjamin dusted grass off themselves and came over.

The figure spoke to us. “I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born - Christ the Lord”!

He paused for a moment, maybe because of the confusion that our faces were expressing -then continued.

“This is what will prove it to you, you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

What happened next was almost ~ startling as his arrival. Because suddenly there were angels everywhere, or at least I say they were angels, that is the only way I can explain it and they were singing.

I have never heard such beautiful music. All these voices blending in wonderful harmony - what a marvelous sound it was. We did not know whether to laugh or cry - to try to join in or keep our mouths shut. We just stood in amazement and listened and watched. I will not attempt to sing that song for you, I could not if I tried, it was so familiar, yet so unlike anything heard before. I remember the words...

“Glory to God in the highest heaven
And peace on earth
To those with whom He is pleased”.

At that time, we did not realize that we, on that lonely hillside, were the only ones who witnessed the vision, and heard the music. After all who were we? Just a group of shepherds going about our daily (or rather nightly!) tasks. None of us were anything special.

There were many great men and many wealthy men in Palestine. There were scholars of the most profound learning. There were holy men who had left the joys of home and gone away to pray and fast in deserts.  But it wasn’t to them the angels came. It was not in their ears that music sounded the greatest news that the world has ever heard. It was given to us, people of no note or standing.

The more I think about it, the stranger it is. There we were, laughing, joking, out in the fields doing our job, looking after the sheep as best we could, and next moment we’re being told that the Messiah is here, surrounded my music and angels!

The four of us stood on that hillside, do not ask me for how long, and watched and listened. Slowly it, or rather they, seemed to move away - the music grew quieter, the darkness came back. Soon the sound was little more than a whisper, and then it was gone. And we were left standing - staring up into the sky and seeing only the stars and darkness.

We looked at each other in silence - did not dare to speak.
Was it a dream? Was this the work of some joker or magician?
Joseph was the first to speak. He nodded his head and said “Hmm, well...   I...  er...
Benjamin responded: “Did that really just happen to us? We knew it had.

“So, what do we do now?” Something must be going on    Angels don’t just appear out of the sky for nothing.” In the back of our minds, we knew that the prophecies about the Messiah had to be taken seriously. After all, this was not something we had deduced for ourselves, but something God had made known to us.

It was then we noticed George (the one with the limp) was missing. He was hobbling down the hill towards Bethlehem.

“Come on”, I said, we must go, can’t argue with things like that, let’s go, even if it’s only to prove we haven’t all gone round the twist”, “What about the sheep,” said Joseph. “NO problem,” said Benjamin. They were all chasing after George. So, it was we made our way to Bethlehem.

We got some right funny looks off people that night. Four shepherds and a load of sheep going through town at that late hour. And none of us expect George who was still limping ahead of us knew where we were heading. However, he did at one point turn round; point up to the sky and shout “THE STAR” so we just presumed he knew what he was up to.

We found ourselves on the poorer side of town. The accommodation here left much to be desired. Turned into a side street and came to a stable, of all places! Was this the place where the Savior of Mankind was to be found? Surely not. But what was it the angel said? “You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger” of course... lying in a manger, this must be the place.

So, we entered through the doorway. There were some oxen and asses and, in the corner, a young girl and a man. In the manger, a mere recess about halfway up the wall, normally where the fodder was stored, lay a little newborn baby, fast asleep.

All four of us went down on our knees. I do not know why, it just seemed like the right thing to do. The couple did not seem a bit surprised. We remained like that, in silent amazement, for a few moments and then got to our feet. Joseph went over to chat to the man we presumed was the Father. It turned out his name was also Joseph. Benjamin was explaining to the girl, Mary, why we had come.

But George and I went over for a peep at the babe. With having a little granddaughter of his own George had quite a soft spot for children. Now he had tears flowing down his cheeks, and so did I. For there was something special about that child. Just looked so normal, yet so peaceful. After all that had happened in the last few hours, only now did things start to fall into place.

Didn’t stay for long. The couple looked tired; they’d need their rest. But our vision was real. It was no dream or illusion. It was just as the angel had said. We left quietly, hardly able to contain our joy.

By the time we reached the end of the street we were singing, laughing, and dancing. Even the sheep seemed bouncier than usual as they followed us through the streets. Now at that time of night, you may think it irresponsible to be making such a noise, but due to the census there were still a lot of people about.

“Get out of here, you drunken old fool”, shouted one man as we passed. “Haven’t touched a drop, mate”, said Benjamin and went over to tell him what had been happening to us. That’s how it was all the way back out of Bethlehem. We told everyone we could about what the angel had said. I think most thought we were out of minds, and who can blame them? Would you believe it?

Going out on the road we came across a strange sight. (By now we were getting used to surprises’). On three camels sat three Oriental types. Not the sort of visitors we usually have in these parts, looked like they had a bit of money as well. As we passed, I said jokingly to Benjamin, “Hey... it must be a special day... even Kings are coming to welcome the Savior”.

The rest of the night continued in much the same way, singing praises to God out there on the cold hills with the sheep. None of us were ever the same after that day. Possibly no one was affected more than George. He never limped again since that time he gazed upon the baby in the manger.

The next day, we tried to tell all this to Matthias, the fifth member of our group, who missed everything that night because according to him he “Had a few problems”. More likely he was tucked up in bed at home. Because he wasn’t out in the fields, he missed it all, he failed to see the Savior.

Thirty years or so have passed since all this took place. George, Joseph, Matthias, and Benjamin have all passed on. I no longer go out into the hills, but my sons do, and it won’t be long before my grandsons join them. We never heard much about that baby again. We think that the young couple went off abroad somewhere, because things turned nasty when Herod got wind of some rumors of a new King having been born.

However, in recent years, a man called John, known as the Baptist, has been telling people to get ready for the coming of the Lord. Well, I’m ready. Because I know He is here.

Some think I am just an old man with a vivid imagination. But one day the whole world will know. “Unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given.” That is my story. You do not have to believe it, that is up to you. I know what I heard. I know what I saw.

Call it a shepherd’s tale. Call it a Christmas story. But remember one thing. The Savior has come into our world. That is what has kept me going all these years. For me, it is more than just a story. I saw the Savior as a baby, in a manger, that magical night in Bethlehem.

And nothing has been the same again. And one day, I believe the whole world’s going to celebrate, for like the angel said to us, all those years ago, “Behold, I am here with Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born, Christ the Lord!”