I reflected for a while, then feeling Judah's searching gaze probe my
being, I replied, "Sometimes Judah, the darkness covers me, like a glove
slips over a hand. But when I pause and search for peace within my soul, I
remember that God is always with me. You know Judah, you've reminded me of
a little prayer my mother taught me when I was just a child. It's a prayer
about how God sends His angels to protect us.
Do you know the guardian
angel prayer Judah? Well, it goes like this: 'Angel of God, my guardian
dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to
light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.' Mother told me angels are God's
special guardians and we all have one of our very own. When fear takes
hold of you Judah, just ask your angel for protection, for Psalm 91 says,
that when you make the Lord your defender, 'God will put his angels in
charge of you to protect you wherever you go.' "
I could sense the tension
leaving Judah's body and that he was beginning to breath easier as he
reached out his hand in a gesture of thanksgiving.
At the same time, the sheep began to display evidence of restlessness. We
searched around us for signs of danger. However, we found ourselves
overwhelmed at the vision of an angel watching over us. We froze in our
tracks, enveloped in fear. Yet, it was a fear that soon washed away, as
the peace of the Lord showered down on us and the angel began to speak.
"Do not be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring
great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Savior was
born - Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign for you: you will find a
baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke Ch 2. Vs 10-12)
We stood in awe trying to absorb this message sent from God. Suddenly, we
were surrounded by celestial voices, as a host of heavenly angels
blossomed in glorious praise of God. Judah's hand clung to mine as he
looked for some sign that I was hearing the angels too. "Yes Judah" I
said, "The heavens have opened in mysterious, melodious praise.
Come quickly friends, let us secure the sheep and go to Bethlehem to see
this great happening."
Together we gathered the sheep, making sure they were protected before we
set out on our journey to Bethlehem. High above us we noticed a brilliant
star radiating through the dark night sky and we felt drawn to follow this
star. Judah, being the youngest of our group, was so excited that he
tended to go off ahead of us. However, whenever he realized we were hardly
within sight, he rushed back to the security of our company.
His young heart was so full of blessedness that he shone almost as bright
as the star we followed. "Bethune, can you really believe we are going to
see this baby? Just think, the angel said he is our long awaited Savior -
Christ the Lord. I'm so excited Bethune, let's hurry. Oh, but what happens
when we get to Bethlehem? What if they will not let us see him? We'll just
have to tell everyone about the angels, won't we Bethune."
"Yes Judah, we can tell everyone about the angels. But we must also trust
that God has prepared the family of the Christ Child to expect us, and
that therefore we will be welcome. Let us pray as we journey and ask God
to make us ready to meet our Savior..."Heavenly Father, we your
humble servants come before you now. We are sorry for any time we have
ever offended you and we ask that you will cleanse us Father. Please
prepare us to receive our Savior with open loving hearts."
"That was a wonderful prayer Bethune, it really touched my soul...
Look, the star we've been following is so bright that is scatters the
darkness while shining down on yonder stable. Morning is near upon us and
soon we will see the Christ child. I'm so excited."
"Yes Judah, the time is drawing near. Let us hasten. There appears to be a
crowd gathering round that manger. Remember now, the angel told us this is
our Savior, so we must be prepared."
With prayerful hearts we approached the crowd that united around the Child
and his parents. While we stood there in silent wonder, an aura of
holiness permeated our souls, filling us with the blessed love of God.
Judah's spirit was alive with the glory of the moment, while his gaze was
fixed on the Christ Child. He blurted out the message the angel had given
us and everyone was amazed that we found the Child just as the angel had
said.
Suddenly, in the distance we heard voices and as we turned in the
direction of the voices we witnessed the splendor of camels carrying Kings
from the East. Everyone made room for the Kings to join those who had come
to pay homage to the Christ Child. The Kings knelt down before the Child
and offered Him grand gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Joseph and Mary smiled at Judah, who was watching the Kings giving gifts
to the Child. As Judah observed the gifts being presented, he realized
that he had brought no gifts for the Child and he bowed his head in
sadness. Mary, the Mother of the Christ Child, sensed Judah's drooping
spirit and turning to him she said, "Judah, do not be sad, for God is
pleased with you. Your presence here with us is gift enough Judah. You
humbly prepared to receive my Son with an open, loving heart. Come, sit
beside me young shepherd, and hold Jesus close to you, because you reflect
the wonderful gifts that Jesus came to share, the precious gifts of love
and peace for all of humankind.
(c) Viola Doncaster, East Bay Creations, Nov. 1996.
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