It was a cold December evening. Little Daniel tagged along with his father. He’d begun to miss him at home in the nights as his father stayed with other shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over the sheep.
“Father, I am cold, and why is it so dark?” Daniel whispered, drawing his patchwork shawl close to his body. The bleating of sheep was reassuring. His father Micah’s arm tightened around his shoulder. The latter quickly poured out some hot broth for the lad. Life seemed to flow back into Daniel’s limbs that had turned numb with cold.
“Now, is that a spot of magic light that I see up there?” Daniel wondered, pointing at the sky. Yes, the light seemed to grow brighter and bigger and voila! An angel appeared in front of him. Everyone huddled together in fright.
The Angel said, “Do not be afraid,” and went on to announce the good news of great joy. To Daniel it seemed like a dream. Micah and the other shepherds were all ears and aflutter with excitement. The Angel said, “Today, in the city of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. The baby will be wrapped in cloth and resting in a manger.”
Birth of a Saviour “A Messiah in a manger? That doesn’t sound quite right,” Micah thought. Surprises never cease. Soon, a host of angels lit up the dark sky and sang the first carol, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth be peace to men.”
“This is getting more thrilling,” thought Daniel.
The head shepherd, Judah, came to a decision. Despite his crutches, he said, “We will go and check out this news in Bethlehem.”
Daniel was fired up now and was first off the mark. Even as old Judah hobbled on slowly, the shepherds spotted the stable in which Mary and Joseph were staying. They walked in, eyes shining, unannounced.
Daniel walked up to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid!”
Mary replied, “Why, that's precisely what the angel Gabriel told me too!”
Micah, Judah and the shepherds came closer to the crib where baby Jesus lay. As they looked at him in wonder, a shaft of brilliant light seemed to fall on them all. In a spontaneous action, Judah threw away his crutches and did a merry dance to everyone's surprise.
“So we, lowly shepherds are the first visitors, first to hear of the Good News! One look at the heavenly child is enough to prove that He is the Son of God,” Micah thought, even as his misgivings about the Lord not being born in a palace gave way to joy, as he gazed at his once-shrivelled legs looking as good as new.
GAME:
Spot the sheep: Tagged; Bleating; Stable; Patchwork; Shoulder; The shepherds
