Close Encounter With a Shepherd Boy
Merry Christmas everyone! Today, I am writing to you from sunny Bethlehem, Israel, where it is partly sunny and 55 degrees. I am having a wonderful holiday with family and friends, and I’m wrapping up a very busy Christmas season. I can’t share all the details with you now, but perhaps some time in the future. I sent a quick note to Ben and Sarah yesterday about a wonderful Christmas experience, and I understand it meant something to them, and they encouraged me to publish it on my blog. I even found a few photos for illustration. Anyhoo, I hope it means something to you also.
Ben & Sarah,
Merry Christmas!
Earlier today, I was able to take a hike up into the hills above the city. As I had almost reached the top of this ridge, I was met by a couple of renegade sheep who seemed to be galloping right at me. And then, behind them, a 10-year old boy named Daniel chasing them fiercely, but never quite catching up.
As they rushed down the path, I somehow was able to grab both at once and wrestle them to the ground. The young shepherd stumbled forward and collapsed on the pile of sheep, breaking out in tears of relief that they had not gotten away. After we were all able to collect ourselves, we returned sheep and boy back to where they belonged. And I even got to slip Daniel the very last handful of chocolate-covered coffee beans in my bag.
Ben and Sarah, to be honest, I can’t tell you what brought more happiness to my heart today. All of the fireworks on the square, or the look in that boy’s face when a perfect stranger saved him from a sure punishment—and added a sweet little coffee treat to top it all off.
The thing that has always struck me about Christmas is the sheer irony of it. Here we pause to celebrate our universal hope for “peace on earth” and “goodwill toward men”. And the image that captures these noble thoughts? A helpless little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and surrounded by half-domesticated smelly animals. But the wonder of it! Enough to draw shepherds off their hillside sheepfolds. Enough to draw powerful and wealthy men on a lengthy pilgrimage with a less than guaranteed outcome. Enough to shine down through the centuries and prick my heart.
I’ve seen everything. But, I’ve never seen anything as powerful as that wonder.
Ben & Sarah,
Merry Christmas!
As I am sending this note to you, I am overlooking Manger Square in Bethlehem. No, not Bethlehem PA (that’s a lovely town, by the way!) Yes, 
the Bethlehem. The Bethlehem of “Little Town of Bethlehem” fame. This is the
the Bethlehem. The Bethlehem of “Little Town of Bethlehem” fame. This is the Christmas celebration I can see right outside the place where we are staying.
I may have told you before about two of my Italian cousins, Angelo and Mario, who are here as official emissaries from their home town of Florence, Italy. Bethlehem and Florence are what we Americans would call “Sister Cities”. So, when the invitation came to join them for Christmas in the Holy Land, I couldn’t pass that up!Earlier today, I was able to take a hike up into the hills above the city. As I had almost reached the top of this ridge, I was met by a couple of renegade sheep who seemed to be galloping right at me. And then, behind them, a 10-year old boy named Daniel chasing them fiercely, but never quite catching up.
As they rushed down the path, I somehow was able to grab both at once and wrestle them to the ground. The young shepherd stumbled forward and collapsed on the pile of sheep, breaking out in tears of relief that they had not gotten away. After we were all able to collect ourselves, we returned sheep and boy back to where they belonged. And I even got to slip Daniel the very last handful of chocolate-covered coffee beans in my bag.
Ben and Sarah, to be honest, I can’t tell you what brought more happiness to my heart today. All of the fireworks on the square, or the look in that boy’s face when a perfect stranger saved him from a sure punishment—and added a sweet little coffee treat to top it all off.
The thing that has always struck me about Christmas is the sheer irony of it. Here we pause to celebrate our universal hope for “peace on earth” and “goodwill toward men”. And the image that captures these noble thoughts? A helpless little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and surrounded by half-domesticated smelly animals. But the wonder of it! Enough to draw shepherds off their hillside sheepfolds. Enough to draw powerful and wealthy men on a lengthy pilgrimage with a less than guaranteed outcome. Enough to shine down through the centuries and prick my heart.
I’ve seen everything. But, I’ve never seen anything as powerful as that wonder.
