The Shepherd Left Behind: A New Fable for Christmas

Following is the story of the Nativity, as told in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

Note:
 

All Biblical quotes in this story come from the King James translation of the Holy Bible.

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1.       
    
   And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
   
2.       
    
   (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
   
3.       
    
   And all went to be taxed every one into his own city.
   
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   And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.
   
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   To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
   
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   And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
   
7.       
    
   And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
   
8.       
    
   And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
   
9.       
    
   And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
   
10.      
    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
    
11.       
     
    For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.
    
12.       
     
    And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
    
13.       
     
    And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
       
    the heavenly host praising God and saying,
    
14.   
    Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
    
15.       
     
    And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
    
16.       
     
    And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.
    
17.       
     
    And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
    
18.       
     
    And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
    
19.       
     
    But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
    
20.       
     
    And the shepherds returned, glorifying an praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
    

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The Shepherd Left Behind

A new fable for Christmas

by

Thomas Rowe Drinkard

The Shepherd Left Behind

© 2014-2015 Thomas Rowe Drinkard

All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written of the copyright holder. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, other than those named in the Holy Bible and Christmas traditions, are the product of the author’s imagination.

Joshua should have been cold, but the campfire was burning and he had a lamb snuggled on each side. His woolen cloak was enough. Besides, the wonders of the night still made him tingle.

The glory he had seen and the music he had heard were more than anything he’d known in all his nine years. Nothing would ever be the same.

Although he was alone with the sheep, he was not worried. After all that brilliant creature of light had said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy.”

Somehow, the deep feeling of peace had lingered. Then something pulled at his cloak and it wasn’t a lamb.

“Hello, are you lonely?”

When he turned around, Joshua saw a boy dressed in white robes smiling at him.

He was supposed to have been alone. The shepherds, including his uncle, had all gone into Bethlehem to see the glory the dazzling creatures had told them about.

“Who are you and how did you get here?” Joshua said.

“Well, I’m called Jude. I came along with Gabe to sing with the choir.”

“All those creatures are gone. They left after they sang that wonderful music.”

“Those creatures, as you call them, are angels. They, or we, came to announce the birth of God’s own Son.”

“Are you an angel?”

“Yes. After we had gone back into heaven, Gabe—more formally known as Gabriel—looked back and saw that all the shepherds had hurried away to see the baby Jesus. They left you, alone, to watch the sheep. He was concerned that you might be afraid, and sent me to be with you.”

Joshua had noticed that the robes Jude wore seemed much too white for a boy in the open country and they seemed to have a soft glow.

“I’m not scared. Not now anyway,” Joshua said.

Jude sat beside Joshua. The lamb on that side snuggled its head in the visitor’s lap as if they were old friends.

“So now, how long are you going to stay with me?” Joshua said.

The angel looked up from stroking the lamb’s head.

“As long as you need me.”

“What will the shepherds find when they get to Bethlehem?”

“When they search, as Gabe has told them, they’ll find the Baby, his mother, Mary and her husband, Joseph. They are in a stable near the inn. There was no room for them there. After He was born, they wrapped him in baby clothes and laid him in a feed trough on some hay. When the other shepherds return, they’ll tell you all about it.”

The sky was bright with a three-quarters moon and clear. It seemed dark, though, after the blazing glory Joshua had seen.

Jude sat beside him, still stroking the head of the lamb.

“Oh, how I wish I could see it all,” Joshua said.

“Gabe thought you’d say that. He told me to show you.”

“How?”

“Just remember what Gabe told the other shepherds, and look in the direction of the town.”

When Joshua followed the angel’s directions, the scene from the inn’s stable stood before him. It was certainly what Jude had described —cows, donkeys and sheep were there, along with the shepherd that had been watching over their own sheep with the boy, just hours before. They were kneeling on the dirt floor. Even the animals were quiet and seemed awed.

Inside the ramshackle building, though, a light—more powerful than candles—glowed. It came from the baby lying on the straw and gleamed in the face of his mother. The shepherds were kneeling before the wonderful mystery that Gabriel had foretold.

~~~~~~~~~

“Jude tell me about the baby.”

“Your people have been told about him for centuries. The great prophet, Isaiah, spoke about this night—more than seven hundred years ago. Remember what happened when Gabe came to you when I remind you of the prophecy. Isaiah said:

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

“You and the other shepherds saw the brilliance of the Lord’s glory shining in this remote pasture. Isaiah continued his prophecy, listen.

The angel’s voice was like sweet, distant thunder in the ears of those waiting for rain.

“Isaiah said,
‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
’”

“All of that, in the baby lying on the hay?” Joshua said.

“Yes, and much more. I can’t tell you everything now.”

“When?”

“When your heart and mind are ready. You will be prepared to understand.”

As they talked, the scene from the stable gradually began to fade.

“Who will tell me?”

“ I will. Gabe told me to stay near you.” Jude said.

“Please show me the stable scene again. There’s something about the sense of peace and completion there that I need,” Joshua said.

As he looked in the direction of Bethlehem, the stable appeared once more, but the shepherds were no longer there. Except for the animals, only the Christ Child, Mary and Joseph were in the drafty structure.

“The shepherds are gone from the stable,” Joshua said.

“Yes, they’ll be back here in a few hours, but others will be visiting the Child soon,” Jude said.

“Who?”

“Have you noticed the special star? The unusually brilliant one standing still over the town?”

“Yes, how could I miss it? Out here in the long nights, we’ve watched. It’s been as bright as several stars together, but what has that got to do with someone else visiting the Child?”

“Three wise men, or wizards some would say, have been predicting the appearance of the star and the birth of the Holy Child. They are from lands far away, but they will come soon and pay homage to Him, bringing precious gifts,” Jude said.

“Will I be able to see them, too?”

“Yes. I’ll ask Gabe if I can take you there.”

Joshua stood, stretched and dropped a dry branch on the guttering fire. The light flared and the fragrance of new kindling touched his nose. Dawn would be coming in a few hours. The only sounds, other than the low hissing of the campfire, came from restless sheep. Jude was silent as the boy fed the glowing coals and returned to the blanket where he’d been sitting.

“Jude, you know so much about these things. I can hardly believe that I’m talking to an angel, but from what you’ve shown me, it must be true. Tell me as much as you can about the Baby, his mother and father. Gabriel said He was ‘…a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ The rabbi has spoken of a Messiah that would come to us and you have spoken of Isaiah’s prophecy. Is this baby the One?”

“Yes. He is the Christ, the Messiah. His mother is a young woman named Mary, but the man you see with them is not the child’s father. He is a good man, a carpenter named Joseph. His family is from the ancient family of King David. That’s why they are in Bethlehem. The child is the Son of God. His name is Jesus.”

Joshua was silent. The words of the angel were simple, but the ideas were like a giant rainstorm in parched land. They flooded the shepherd boy’s mind and created more and more questions as he stared at the stable scene, still shining in the open field.

~~~~~~~~~

“Joshua, get up. You are needed. Gabe told me,” Jude said.

It was as if someone had shaken his shoulder to wake him from slumber. Maybe he had been drowsing.
 

“What? What can I do?”

“When your uncle returns, with the other shepherds, ask him for permission to go into Bethlehem to see the Holy Child. He will approve. Then you and I will go. Your uncle won’t see me, but I’ll be with you.”

Within minutes, the sounds of men approaching were obvious. Their words became clearer as they drew nearer. They fed more wood on the fire and competed with one another to tell Joshua what wonders they’d seen. The boy listened to them as they described the stable scene and the mighty sense of holy reverence they felt in the presence of the newborn baby. What they told him was what Jude had shown him.

“Uncle, Bethlehem isn’t far and dawn is coming soon. May I go and see this Holy Child you’ve visited?” Joshua said.

As Jude had predicted, the older shepherd gave permission, and taking only as small water skin, Joshua was on the way.