Story of the Month
Let's Go Into Town
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This story is from Michael's new Christmas CD entitled, "A Prophecy, A Promise, and a Child." It chronicles the entire Nativity Story from the standpoint of the real people who lived it. I personally recommend it, and you can obtained it on his website: TellItLikeItIs.com.
That night, the stars were shining down on more than just the city of Bethlehem. In the surrounding countryside, shepherds stood guard over their sleeping flocks. A small campfire crackled and danced in the night, it's pitiful flame illuminating the faces of the tired shepherds huddled around it.
It had been a long day and it promised to be an even longer night. They pulled their cloaks against the cold and huddled in close. Sheepherding may be hard work, but it was not interesting work. Boredom had long since settled in and they sat discussing what they might do with the rest of their evening.
(First shepherd) "What do you want to do?" (Second shepherd) "I don't, know what do you want to do?" (Third shepherd) "I know! We should go down to the town tonight!" The last suggestion was regarded with scowling, "Bethlehem? Nothing ever happens in that tiny burg, nah, nah, better we stay around the warm fire!"
The discussion continued - they were still trying to figure out what to do. (First shepherd) "Say, I got my dice! Does anybody here feel lucky tonight?" (Second shepherd) "Oh, no! I lost all my money to you last night!" (Third shepherd) "I tell ya' we should go down to the town!" They'd all been there before they claimed and nothing went on in Bethlehem.
At that moment the shepherd's conversation was interrupted by a noise way above their heads. (Second shepherd) "Did you hear that, it sounded like thunder! I tell you it's going to rain tonight!" (First shepherd) "How can it thunder when there are no clouds in the sky?"
It was not thunder. An Angel of the Lord had been sent down to them and he stood before them, the Glory of the Lord blazing about him! The shepherds stood there terrified, but the angel spoke words of comfort to them. "Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news! Great and glad tidings! Tonight in the City of Bethlehem there is born a savior! It is Christ the Lord! The One who will save all man from his sin. And this shall be the sign that you shall seek Him by: For you shall find him wrapped, swaddled in a blanket and laid in a crude manger."
And when the angel had finished speaking he was joined by an army of angels, ten thousand upon ten thousand voices rent the night praising God! "Glory to God in the highest! And Peace to the Earth! God's favor upon all men!" The shepherds stood transfixed, their eyes facing heaven, seeing the glory of God coming down, turning the night into day. It reached down to their very souls, tears of joy running down their faces.
And just as suddenly as it had all begun, the majestic singing ceased. The men were left on the hillside. A deep, blue velvet returned to the night sky, and once again the expanse of heaven was dotted with stars. To them, even this multitude of light seemed dim compared to what they had just experienced.
Finally, they were able to look down at each other's faces. Their faces were wet from tears and from the look they shared, oh yes, this had been real and they had all seen it. Without a word, each of them bent down and picked up their possessions, one of them stamped out the fire. Yes, tonight they would be going to town.
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