A Shepherd’s Story

A fictional recollection from one of the Shepherds of Bethlehem.

It’s been a little over thirty years since that particular night. In many ways, it feels like it was yesterday and some days it seems so long ago, and sometimes it feels like a delightful dream.

Nearly every year those of us who remember the birth of the Child, often have wondered what happened to the Child. Where did his family move to, where were they now, and was this really the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord?

Recently, a couple of local merchants returned from a trip from Capernaum near Lake Galilee telling us about the young Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth who was teaching in that region.

Upon hearing that name, my ears immediately perked up. Could this be him? The baby that the angel pointed us to. The baby that we worshipped in the manger? Could this be our Messiah, our Deliver, the one who could set us free from Rome?

Who knows? Just the mention of his name triggered an intense flood of thoughts, feelings, and memories.

It was early in the Winter and things were quiet, the flock was pretty settled for the evening, based on the layout of the area we were in that evening, the sheep were slightly downhill from us that night. We were sitting around a small fire just outside our tents doing what men do around campfires, sharing stories, complaining about the weather, bragging about our children and complaining about our wives, taxes and the government. But over the past few weeks, we noticed what appeared to be a new star, that seemed to be growing and even moving towards our part of the country. The primary topic of the past few nights had to do with the recent influx of hundreds of people returning to Bethlehem who had to come back because of a stupid census the Romans wanted to take, probably to hit us up for more taxes.

While things had been relatively peaceful since the Roman occupation, we are still under their rule, which is at times a pain.

That night, the bright bluish silver light of the Winter’s moon was drowning out all but the brightest stars until the evening sky was pierced by a shaft of light brighter than one could ever imagine. It was an angel! We were doing what we’d every night for as long as I have been in this business when all of a sudden, out of nowhere the heavenly being appeared to us. Growing up in a good Jewish home we knew about angels, but never did we ever think of believing that we would ever see one. We were literally scared to death, I don’t think I have ever been so fearful of anything in my life. We were terrified! Can you imagine, one minute you and your friends are shooting the breeze and a minute later this bright heavenly being appears out of nowhere. You know, looking back, while we were petrified the sheep were not shaken at all.

I cannot tell you how deeply scared we were, I mean we were shaken to our soul. The only thing we could do was fall to our knees worship this being and pray for mercy. Then the angel said, just as clearly as I am speaking to you the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign; You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

I mean just as the angel was telling us this suddenly, out of nowhere a vast host of others — the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!”

Then just as quick as they came, they left. We were stunned and stilled by what had just occurred.

You can only imagine what we were thinking and saying to each other. On the one hand, who is going to believe us. On the other hand, what joyous news! Then we decided to head back into town, just as the angel had told us to. For some reason, we just left the herds somehow feeling they would be just fine after what we’d experienced.

We headed straight into town and found Mary, Joseph, and the child. Just like the angel said, we saw them in a local stall, and there was that special baby lying in a feeding trough. At first, we felt a little weird approaching the couple, after all, this was an utterly bizarre night. One minute we are tending our flock and a little while later we are worshiping a little baby who will be the Messiah. Joseph first caught our eye he smiled gently and invitingly motioned us forward into the stable.

We were in awe, most of us had children or had family members that had children, but this child was different, this family was different. After all, the angel told us who the baby really was. I have to say to you we had no idea how this could happen, but we did believe what the angel had told us. We stayed for a while and then went home to tell our families what we had seen. By the way, some of us returned to the flock in the early morning, and there they were, just as we’d left them.

Well, life moves on.

All of us have wives, mothers, and sisters, in the village and as we shared our stories, the women decided to help out with the baby. They carried over food and helped out any way they could and within a couple of days had found a place for the young couple to rent.

Most of us were so touched by meeting the baby and his parents that we stayed in contact. Within a few days the census was wrapping up, and people were leaving Bethlehem and headed back to their homes. Joseph, his wife, and the baby were able to move into a small house.

Joseph, who was an excellent carpenter, decided to stay and set up shop, and so this family looked like they were going to settle in Bethlehem. All was pretty normal until the Magi came.

We were all very aware of the star. As Shepherds, there is not a lot to do a night, but observe the heavens, and we’ve been noticing this uniquely different star for months. We’d heard rumors from some local merchants that a band of Wise men from Arabia were headed our way.

The day came for their arrival. Since Jerusalem is only a couple of hours out of Bethlehem, we could see the caravan coming down that road, and it was quite a site. They arrived at Joseph and Mary’s house, and after spending some time there, they left by a different route.

You know, there are no secrets in a small town. As we saw the caravan arrive, I was out with the sheep, but my wife and several of her friends, who had befriended Mary showed up. She was overwhelmed by the gifts the three magi gave to her. They opened their treasure chests and gave the child gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

We’ve never seen anything like this before, there must surely be something special about this baby. The entire village was excited and filled with awe.

Then there was a sudden and abrupt change.

A day or two after the Magi left, Joseph, Mary, and the child quietly and suddenly left town. I mean, one day they were there, and the next day they were gone, and no one knew which direction they went, some said they headed south.

It was just days after they left that something horrible happened.

As I mentioned earlier, our village, Bethlehem is home to about 1200–1500 people.

A few days after Joseph’s family left a group of Herod’s individual soldiers came to town looking for boys who were two years old or less, and they killed them. For the next several days a thick fog of sadness hung over our village as young couples and families buried their dead sons.

On the one hand we stunned by this brutal, murderous act and on the other hand, then we all knew how jealous Herod was to preserve his kingdom.

Remember the greeting of the angel? “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

As horrible as this event was there was something about this slaughter that was typical of Herod.

On the one hand, Herod was a great builder, and did a lot of good things for Israel, however; his heart was evil, twisted, and corrupt as he sought to maintain control of his kingdom and keep Rome off of his back.

As things began to settle down, we started to put together what must have happened.

One of my cousins had a friend who works in the protocol office at Herod’s place in Jerusalem. He told us that the Magi had visited King and asked about where the new king of the Jews would be born. Apparently, they had asked this question to many people in and around Jerusalem, and I am sure, Herod wanted to learn more about the reason for their journey from Arabia.

Herod, being a shrewd politician, invited the Magi to spend the night, extending them every appropriate courtesy.

He did this to give himself some time to consult with the priest and teachers who were on his payroll. They shared the prophecies about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem.

According to my cousin, the next morning Herod invited the three travelers to a private breakfast and asked them when they first noticed the star. They shared their story with Herod and after breakfast left the palace and went on their way.

Well, that particular night was around thirty years ago, and those memories have penetrated my heart and soul. The power of that night, the fact that we got to know this young couple and help them out has left wondering what happened, what about the prophecies, what about the angel’s message. We felt such a special bond with that young family, and then they disappeared.

We heard rumors that they went south and into Egypt, but who knows. This was a special couple.

As I mentioned earlier, I have heard some rumors about a young Rabbi called Jesus of Nazareth, it has to be him, I just know it. I have heard enough about him, and I am sure it has to be him, the Chosen one.

I am excited because in the next few weeks I will be headed to a market near Capernaum, I hope to learn more about this young rabbi, I know that it has to be him.

To be continued……