A Christmas Story
I met David at the door this morning with arms crossed. Call me a nosy sister, but I wasn’t letting my brother into the house until I knew were he had been!
I understand, with wild animals roaming the hills, sheep can never be left alone. But he’d promised me last night that he’d get one of the other shepherds to cover for him and come home for an hour or two to have dinner. It’s been weeks since he has eaten with the family.
My parents and I had waited and waited, but he hadn’t come home. Finally we decided to eat without him. I sat looking at the food on the table — the bread had gone stale, and the stew had gone cold. I wanted an explanation.
I looked him in the eyes and asked; “Where were you, and what were you doing?”
He just smiled at me, his eyes glowing. He took my hands and clasped them in his.
“Anna! You’re never going to believe what happened tonight!”
“Probably not,” I answered, “but why don’t you tell me anyway?”
Gently, his hand tugged mine. “Come outside,” he said softly, “I’ll explain.”
“You’re not going to talk your way out of this one, David,” I muttered. But I let him lead me outside. I sat down on the stone bench just outside the door.
He sat down beside me. Still smiling, he said, “Anna, I was out on the hillside with the other shepherds, same as always. And . . . well, an angel came! He was right there in the field with us. Oh, Anna! He spoke to us. He said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Then a bunch more angels appeared and they sang and — ”
I’d heard enough. “David,” I began, “whatever you’ve been doing tonight, it can’t be half as bad as lying like this.”
“But, Anna,” he leaned toward me, so I had to look at him. “I’m not lying. Listen, it was just like the prophets said — a Messiah, a...
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