Have You Heard the Story of My Life?

I was amazed at the multitude of people gathering in my small, quiet town, Bethlehem. I was as excited as the rest of the children, over what was happening.

These people were not foreigners. My father explained to me that they had originally come from Bethlehem, but they themselves had moved to other towns and villages.

Caesar Augustus, the Emperor of the Roman Empire, had decreed that all people should return to be counted in the towns of their ancestors. So everyone returned to be registered.

All of the houses and inns were full of visitors. I was wondering how such a large number of people could ever find a place to sleep in our little town.

The sun went down, and I went to help my father watch the sheep in the fields at night. As I was hurrying to the sheep pen, I saw two travellers, a man and a woman, approaching our town. They looked very tired, especially the woman, and it appeared as though they had been travelling a long time.

The man walked up to one of the houses and knocked on the door. As I was passing by, I could hear the owner of the inn telling the man that all his rooms were full. Where could this couple find a place to sleep, I wondered?

It was dark by the time I reached the sheep. The people in Bethlehem were going back to their homes and inns to rest for the night. But we shepherds did not go to sleep, because we had to watch over our flocks. We made a small fire and sat around it, while the sheep settled down for the night. It was a clear night, and the stars twinkled above us. Everything around us was calm.

I remembered the tired couple I had seen arrive at Bethlehem. I hoped that they had found a place to sleep for the night.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed through the darkness and surrounded us. We all jumped out of amazement and fear. The light was as bright and blinding as the sun.

Terror came over me and the other shepherds. So we threw ourselves to the ground. Then a shining angel stood in the middle of the light and spoke to us: Do not be afraid! For I bring you good tidings of great joy. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Lord whom you have been waiting for. Get up and hurry to Him.

The angel continued, Here is a clear sign for you to identify the newborn. You will find Him wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.

Suddenly, a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel. We could not count their number. They sang a wonderful song – one I had never heard before:

Glory to God in the highest And on earth peace to men On whom His favour rests.(Luke 2:14)

We listened with amazement to the song of the angels until they disappeared into the heavens. After this, quietness and darkness surrounded us again.

We did not remain sitting around the fire. One of the oldest shepherds said to us: Let us hurry to Bethlehem to see what has happened. For today our Saviour and Redeemer, the Christ, is born. He is the Giver of peace and joy.We all hurried through the dark fields, forgetting about the sheep. We all wanted to see the newborn, our Lord and Saviour, about whom the angels had told us.

We reached Bethlehem. After a long search, we found the place of the newborn and entered quietly. To my surprise, I discovered that the parents were the man and woman I had seen earlier. I learned that their names were Mary and Joseph. Before them was the promised newborn Child. He was lying in a manger. The Child looked like other newborn children. But we knew that He was not a normal child, because the angel told us that He had come to save the world. He humbled Himself, coming from heaven to earth, becoming like us to redeem us. We remembered the old promise given through the Prophet Isaiah which says:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace(Isaiah 9:6).

We shepherds bowed down before the humble manger, thanked God, and worshipped the Child. I was still a young shepherd, and I did not have anything I could give the baby Jesus as a gift. So I decided to always remember Him and love Him with all my heart.

I was overwhelmed with joy about what I had heard and seen. I could not keep this joy to myself; I wanted to tell everyone about it. The other shepherds felt the same way.

Wherever I went, I told my friends about the strange things that had happened out on the field and about the good news the angel told us regarding the baby Jesus.

They all listened with astonishment and doubt when I said: The Lord Christ is born in our midst – not in a king’s palace, but a humble manger. Everyone can see him.

I was not able to contain all of my joy. I thanked God for loving me and choosing me to see Christ personally, to behold the Saviour who had come into our world to redeem it.

Most of the people who heard our story shook their heads in disbelief and thought that we were telling them false tales. They were not interested in the good news about the birth of the Saviour of the world, a Saviour who was asleep in a manger.

We shepherds were not the only ones who visited the baby Jesus. As I was watching over the sheep in the fields at dusk, I saw a camel caravan coming from the direction of Jerusalem. Three men were riding, and I heard them speak in a foreign language. From their language and clothing, I knew that they had come from a faraway country in the East. They looked like noble and wise men.

Were they going to my town, Bethlehem, I wondered?

I left my sheep behind in the field with the other shepherds and followed the caravan of the wise men. I heard one of the men shouting with joy and pointing to the sky. The others stopped and looked up. I also raised my eyes to the heavens. There was a bright and wonderful star, shining like I have never seen a star shine before.

The man said: friends, thanks be to God! This is the star which we had seen while in the East. We must be getting closer to the promised Child.”

They were filled with joy and continued toward Bethlehem, following the star. When the star stood still, they saw a simple house before them. They got down from their camels and entered the house where they found the child Jesus and Mary, His mother. When the wise men saw the child Jesus, they bowed down on their knees and worshipped Him with honour and respect. They surely knew that this newborn was the Saviour of the world and that He was going to initiate the kingdom of God on earth.

I stood amazed at what I had witnessed, and I realised that Jesus came for everyone, the poor and the rich, the great and the humble. Everyone who accepts Him, will truly receive the peace of heaven in his heart.

The wise men then took out their gifts and presented them before the child Jesus. They were valuable offerings of gold, incense, and myrrh. The wise men gave the baby Jesus the most valuable things they had. They were very glad to have found the Lord of lords, the Promised One, He for whom they had been waiting expectantly.

After two days, the wise men made their way back to their home country, comforted and strengthened. They were full of thankfulness, because they had met Christ the Saviour.

I went back to the sheepfold. Nothing changed in my outward appearance, although I had met the angels in the fields and had seen Jesus in Bethlehem. I remained a simple shepherd, but my life took on a new meaning. After that encounter, a new joy and hope came into my life, and I walked on the sure path of peace and thankfulness.

I understood that Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, is my Saviour. So in my heart I joined with the angels in praising God for sending Christ the Lord into our dark world.

My dear reader, do you have the assurance that Christ was also born for you, and that He can give your life new meaning, joy, and comfort? I wish from all my heart that you may also have this wonderful assurance.