27th December Christmas reflection 10 While shepherds watched

 

“Do not be afraid, do not be afraid” It’s all very well and good to hear that but you try putting into practice when confronted by a giant angel floating 6 feet off the ground. And although this heavenly being was right there in front of us, the light appeared to come from everywhere. Dazzling our eyes, blinding our vision. How on earth were we supposed to keep on eating grass with all this commotion going on!!

Again the voice split the night, “Don’t be afraid!” it said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced,” The shepherds looked at each other’s terror stricken face. No, nothing about what was happening to them seemed like good news to them. We just carried on munching.

The angel continued, “And it is for everyone! The Saviour that you have all been waiting for, yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born tonight in the town of Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!”

For everyone...my ears pricked up at that. Not just for the humans but for everyone. And then meant us. I quickly told Barry, who told Barbara, who told Barnabus, who passed it onto Barbie, who told Bart, who told Barny. Soon the entire flock couldn’t stop talking about this good news.

Suddenly before the shepherds could even think about replying, the very air crackled with electricity and it was as if the sky above them split open. All around them circling overhead a host of heavenly beings blanketed the heavens each one of them singing out in a loud voice... “Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”

Then almost as if someone had extinguished a candle they were gone and the hill was shrouded in darkness.

No one spoke. No one could speak. Even I stood still my mouth full of unchewed grass. Finally it was the youngest of the shepherd, Nehemiah, who found his voice. “Come on then, what are we waiting for?” The other shepherds just looked at each other. “Shake a leg,“ exclaimed Nehemiah excitedly, “Our people have waited hundreds of years for this moment and now it’s happened, right on our doorstep, you want to sit here and chew the cud!”

And with that not so subtle prompt, I felt myself being suddenly swept off my feet, tucked under an arm and was being carried down the hill as fast as the shepherd’s legs could carry them. Down the hillside to the twinkling lights of the town below. Off in search for a baby lying in a manger. A baby destined to be a king