The Shepherd Chapter 3

Chapter 3

          Bethlehem was strangely quiet on that special night. It was as if the entire town was bundled up against the cold and eager to get to sleep. Maneuvering the narrow streets was easy. The stars above gave just enough light so that the little band of shepherds could see their way. Bethlehem was not that big of a town and Mr. Isaac knew it like the back of his hand. But where was that special child? Where was this Savior announced by the angels?

          The angels had told of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. What a strange announcement. Swaddling was usually used for wrapping up a dead body. Three years ago, Sammie had seen his mother wrapping a body in swaddling clothes. It was Sammie’s grandfather. Sammie remembered watching his dear mother working carefully through her tears. Wrapping and wrapping; cubit after cubit until grandfather was totally wound up. But wrapping a newborn baby in swaddling clothes?! Why would parents do such a thing? And just to think: laying a newborn baby in a manger?! Mangers were used to feed cattle and sheep, not for cuddling a baby! Sammie told Mr. Isaac his thoughts and Mr. Isaac said that he had the exact same thoughts!

          Mr. Isaac said, “This census business has done strange things to people, forcing them into impossible situations.” Sammie thought. The Savior’s parents could have come from a faraway city. They could be in Bethlehem with no relatives to help with the delivery. Why, Bethlehem had grown ten times its size just overnight. Sammie thought, Of course there was no room for the Christ Child. The only place His parents could find to stay would have been a stable. The manger bed made perfect sense. Sammie felt sorry for this little mother delivering a baby in a strange town. Alone and pushed into a barn. What depressing circumstances! Just imagine wrapping your newborn baby in cloth ribbons intended for a dead body!

          Sammie came to himself as Mr. Isaac made a turn. “Why are we going this way?” Sammie asked.

          Mr. Isaac replied, “This is where the road from Galilee comes into Bethlehem. Most travelers from the north country would come into Bethlehem from this way.” Mr. Isaac paused a moment scratching his chin. “Now which way would I go if I were coming into town?” He thought for a moment and said, “I would find the first place that I could. Perhaps, this way.” And the shepherds followed Mr. Isaac up a narrow lane toward a little hill on the left. Houses lined the lane, and each house had glowing windows. Sammie could tell that each house was occupied by several out of town guests. Mr. Isaac walked past each window and slowed at the last one up next to the hill. He seemed to know that there would be a stable in a cave back under the hill. And as the shepherds rounded the corner of the house, there it was: a stable built into the hillside.

          The owner of the last house had made use of a natural cave that was common there in the Judean hills. Bethlehem didn’t have forests and wood was in short supply, but Bethlehem did have caves. And as the shepherds approached the cave, there was a faint glow of and oil lantern from within. Sammie’s felt his heartbeat as the shepherds cautiously approached to cave. Mr. Isaac and Baruk were ahead of the others. Sammie was anxious, but cautious. He was willing for the others to investigate while he lagged a little behind.

          As the shepherds entered the cave, the biting cold of the Judean night melted and a warm coziness took over. Sammie saw steam rising off the backs of several cows over on the right. A few sheep were in the back where the rocky overhand sloped lower. On the left was a little donkey looking haggard. Its ears were forward and its head was low. It looked tired. But then, a little further back on the left was the manger. Sammie could see Mr. Isaac talking to a young man in odd clothing. Sammie had met people from Galilee before and this man’s outer robe looked like he was from there. And lying in the straw just against the stone manger was a young woman. Her face was pale and tired looking, but somehow peaceful. She looked up at the two men talking in subdued voices. The young woman was hearing the men, but seemed somewhat distracted. And then Sammie heard the baby cry. It wasn’t a cry of distress, but the cry of a little newborn baby needing its mother. The young woman stirred. She propped herself up on one elbow and picked up the tiny baby from the manger. Sammie’s heart leaped as he caught sight of the baby. His mind raced as he recalled the events of the night. And here it was. The Christ Child. So tiny and harmless.

          The young mother began to nurse her tiny son and he quieted immediately. Sammie was calmed and awed at the sight. This was such a humble place, but he felt so comforted. Sammie felt no fear, but a strange attraction to get close to the nursing baby. He crept closer and closer watching the tiny face.

          The mother noticed Sammie and gave him a warm smile. She reached out toward Sammie with her free hand. Sammie knew he was welcomed into the little circle. Sammie had seen little babies before, but somehow, this baby was different. This little baby seemed to have the glow of the Almighty God upon him. Sammie felt someone beside him. He looked to his right and saw Nathan kneeling beside him. And then Sammie saw Old Benjamin standing behind Nathan, his face barely visible in the glow of the oil lamp. And Sammie thought that he could see the glistening of a single tear in Old Benjamin’s eye. But Sammie wasn’t surprised. This had been a wonderful night. A night of miracles!