We round the corner and stop. Dad looks at me, smiles, then proceeds to join in with the group of people standing around and singing. “Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Calm, All is Bright…….. “ The music goes on, as they sing “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Why all the singing? Sort of weird. Out here in the woods.
A group is gathering around what looks to me to be a barn or a stable. Okay- we live in the suburbs, not the country! H-M-M-M-M-M…. And a really bright star is shining down on it. This is strange, it looks like a star has stopped over this stable and is shining its light over it. I don’t ever remember being here before. Maybe it’s an airplane waiting to land at the local airport- I’m not sure what’s going on, but my human wants to stay so I will. I’ll just keep an eye out on things to protect my human. The inside is brightly lit.
Then, a man’s voice spoke, I looked around but couldn’t see where it was coming from. All I can see are the leg’s in front of me- but he said:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken
of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while
Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to
register."
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to
Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of
David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married
to him and was expecting a child." (Luke 2:1-5)
I tug hard on my leash to get closer to see what’s happening because I don’t understand- why are all these humans here. I can’t get much closer to see. The man continues to speak:
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she
gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed
him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."
And, a quiet hush falls over the scene. I begin to bark as I see something white flying in the sky. My eyes are filling with tears as I hear and watch this. I’d never seen a human born and I can just barely see this one - peculiar, they are crying too. Suddenly the light from the sky grows brighter. A few move forward so I follow and can see the baby better. I am frightened at first because there’s a bright round circle around the baby’s head. My human stands in awe- speechless- and moves with me to get a closer look- am still not sure where our long walk has taken us. A man and a woman quickly stand, look out to us take turns saying:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch
over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the
glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel
said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great
joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to
you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a
baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on
earth peace to those on whom his favor
rests.”
"When the angels had left them and gone
into heaven, the shepherds said to one
another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this
thing that has happened, which the Lord has
told us about.”
"So they hurried off and found Mary and
Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had
been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered
them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been
told." Luke 2:8-20
I looked up at my human who has tears rolling down his face while smiling. Not sure what this is all about. I look up again and he catches me looking. I must have had a bewildered look on my face because he said, “This is what Christmas is all about- the celebration of Christ’s Birth. He came to earth to save us from our sins so we may have eternal life. It is the greatest Christmas present.” At that moment, I bowed my head in sadness. I wanted to run off and cry- but the leash won’t let me unless I drag my human down the street with me, though tempting, I don’t want to hurt him. “And you Noah, are a special present given to us to make life on earth, more bearable- if you only knew how much we love you and what a gift you are everyday."
I look at him with tears in my eyes. So, I have given him a Christmas present. Suddenly, the area is dark. The scene is gone. Strange. We walk back the way we came. It’s snowing again and my human isn’t walking through it very well. I walk beside him which seems to somehow offer some comfort to his walk. He reaches down and puts his hand on my head.
"May the true blessings of Christmas be yours!"
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