Picked From The Fields-An Advent Story (Week 3)

 

    As the shepherds neared Bethlehem, the star became even brighter.  Levi looked around and couldn't believe there were no crowds of people traveling to see the Messiah. Where was everyone?  Did they misunderstand the angels? Were they too late?  Despite these doubts, the shepherds were determined to find the newborn King. They stopped outside the town to discuss their next move.

 "Dad, Dad! Look over there. I can see a cave; the star is right over it!" Nathan announced.

 "Nathan, I do not think the Messiah would be born in a cave," Levi answered.

 "Dad, the angel said, 'And this will be the sign you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.' I believe it, Dad. We have to go over there!" Nathan's voice was filled with conviction, his belief in the angel's message unwavering. 

 Levi returned his attention to the other shepherds until he heard Abigail scream, "Nathan, come back here!" Nathan ran as fast as his legs would carry him towards the cave. Levi took off after his son, with Abigail close behind.  It was unlike Nathan to disobey. Levi and Abigail caught up to Nathan just outside the cave's entrance.

 Levi grabbed hold of Nathan's arm and pulled Nathan to a stop. "Dad, he's in there.  I can feel him."  Levi was too out of breath to respond.  He was about to lose his anger when a man emerged from the cave.

 "Hello, can I help you?" the man asked with concern.  "We were given permission to stay here.  I spoke with the owner myself."

 Nathan shouted, "We are here to see the Messiah!  The angels said he would be lying in a manger.  And the star is right over us, and," Nathan paused for a moment, "Is he here?  Do you know where he is?"

 The man looked relieved and said, "Please give me a minute to answer you."  He returned inside for a few minutes and then reappeared. "My name is Joseph.  My wife and son are inside. Jesus was just born tonight. My wife, Mary, said I should invite you in. Please come inside."

 With her warm and welcoming smile, Mary knelt next to the manger, her gentle presence filling the cave with a sense of peace and comfort.

 Nathan's eyes lit up as he quietly announced, "It's him!  The baby the angels told us about!" His voice was filled with awe and reverence, acknowledging the Divine Presence before him.

 Mary smiled at Nathan and reached out her arm to pull him closer.  "Tell me, Nathan, do angels talk to you often?"

 "No.  This was the first time!  It was exciting and scary at the same time.  I remember everything they said.  There were lots of them.  And they sang, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.' My Mom and Dad heard them, too!  So did the other shepherds. We all came right away."  Nathan stopped to look at the baby lying in the manger.  "He looks like a regular baby, but I feel different around him.  I feel warm inside, and my heart feels like it's growing inside me."  Nathan looked at Mary to see if she understood.

 "Nathan, if an angel has revealed a message from the Lord, I would follow their instructions, too. Trusting the Lord and his desires shows great faith on your part. The Lord must find you very pleasing."

 "I didn't even know the Lord knew who I was.  I'm not very smart.  I don't get to the synagogue very much."

 Abigail and Levi's faces were flushed with shame.  "We should probably try to go more often," Levi said.

 "We are honored to share Jesus with you.  Nathan, would you like to join me in prayer?"  Mary cradled baby Jesus in her arms and sat close to Nathan.

 Nathan nervously looked at his parents and then at Mary holding Jesus.  "I don't really know very many prayers," Nathan admitted.

 Mary smiled at Nathan and said, "I would happily teach you one." Nathan beamed as he listened to Mary praise God. Mary encouraged him to repeat her words as she prayed. Abigail and Levi listened closely, too. This young woman was remarkable. They had never heard someone pray so openly and honestly. They could feel God's love. 

  As they continued to pray, Abigail could hear the other shepherds fall to their knees behind her. Together, they prayed as one. This moment was more glorious than the angels singing.  Imagine being picked out of the fields to pray with the newborn Messiah and his mother. They were nobody, but they were the most blessed on earth at this moment!

-Susan

Picked From The Fields-An Advent Story (Week 2)

 

  Levi and Abigail stood in awe, their hearts racing, trying to comprehend the extraordinary event unfolding.  Angels singing?  The Messiah has been born?  It couldn't be a figment of their imagination. Such sights and sounds were not of this earth. They not only saw and heard the angels, but they also felt their words.  The angelic words were warm, soft, and filled with wonder. They felt the angel's love flowing into their bodies, a powerful and beautiful sensation.

 "Come on, let's go!" shouted Nathan.

 Abigail and Levi looked at their son and then at one another.  "Go where?" asked Levi.

 "The angels said we must go to Bethlehem and find this baby!" Nathan's excitement was palpable, and his youthful energy radiated as he jumped up and down, waiting for his parents' feet to move.

 Abigail smiled at her son and said, "Yes!  We must go! God has sent angels to invite us! Blessed be God Most High, who would look at his lowly servants and bless us with a heavenly message."

 "Quickly help me get the sheep secured." Levi directed. It almost took no effort to get the sheep back into their pen. Levi could hear the other shepherds doing the same. The men were shouting his name as he closed the gate.

 "Levi, you saw it too, right?  The angels in the sky singing about the Messiah!" asked the shepherds.  "That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen!" 

 Levi ran over to them and declared, "Yes!  We saw it, too! We have to go find this baby!  The Messiah has finally come! The prayers of our ancestors have been answered! We must leave immediately!" His voice was filled with determination and urgency.

 The small group of shepherds, Abigail and Nathan, began walking quickly toward Bethlehem, their hearts filled with excitement and anticipation. The shepherds tried remembering what they had learned about the coming Messiah in their youth.  Since they were not the most learned, they concluded that the angels must be telling everyone and they could learn more from those willing to speak to them.

 Abigail knew not to interfere with the men's conversation.  She heard bits and pieces but focused her attention on Nathan's questions.  She had never seen Nathan so excited.  It was heartwarming to see things from Nathan's innocent and excited perspective. He had only been to Bethlehem a few times.  He did not understand the ways of the world.  It never even crossed his mind that shepherds were looked down on by others. She was worried he would experience the unfriendly stares she had become accustomed to receiving.  Abigail knew her place.  She would stand in the back or the outskirts.  She imagined that just being near the Messiah and his royal family would be more than she ever deserved.

 Nathan had remembered every word the angels had spoken, and he did his very best to sing their hymn of praise. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Abigail smiled as he sang.  What a glorious night! And the best part was about to come!

 "Dad, are we almost there?" yelled Nathan.

 "We are very close to Bethlehem.  Do you see how bright that star is over there?" Levi pointed with his hand. "We think that's where we will find the newborn Messiah! I'm sure there will be crowds of people, so I need you to stay very close to your mother and me."

 "I will, Dad!  I'm so excited!" answered Nathan.

(to be continued....)

-Susan

 

Picked From The Fields - An Advent Story (Week 1)

 

  It was a typical evening in the Judean countryside. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the fields. Abigail was busy preparing a meager dinner for her family. "Nathan, please fetch my basket," Abigail called out to her young son, Nathan. Nathan found the basket in its usual spot in the corner. He shook out the crumbs from the previous night and then handed the basket to his mother. "The sun is setting, and your father will bring the herd in for the night. We need to hurry. He will be hungry."

 "Can I stay all night with Dad tonight?  I could help him watch the sheep."

  Abigail picked up the basket, headed for the door, and signaled Nathan to follow. “You must discuss that with your father when we see him. Let him eat first. Don't bother him with requests until he has rested and eaten something."

  Nathan smiled. As far as he was concerned, that was one step closer to a "yes."

   Abigail and Nathan placed the blanket at the edge of the field and waited for Levi to return with the flock. They waited for a long time. The sun had set, and darkness slowly spread across the fields.

"When is he going to get here?  I'm hungry.  Can't we just eat without him?" begged Nathan.

  "No, Nathan. We will wait for your father. He must be having trouble with the flock."

"Do you think he was attacked by wolves?"

 Abigail shot Nathan an obvious sign of dismay. "Nathan, please, you are not making this wait easier with such thoughts.  Why don't you study the stars like your father has taught you?  One day, you may arrive back late with the sheep, too.  You will need to know the path home."  As Nathan chatted about the stars, Abigail nervously bit her lip, hoping everything was okay.  She noticed none of the other men were back yet, either.  Something was definitely wrong.

 More time passed, and Abigail tried hard to remember the prayers her mother had taught her. Nathan rested his head on her lap, and the two began to doze off.  Suddenly, Nathan sat up.  "I can hear them! Mom. I hear the sheep!"

 Abigail looked out towards the dark hills, straining to hear as well.  "Oh, I think you are right, Nathan!  Come on, let's go meet them."  Abigail and Nathan quickly rose to their feet and headed toward the first hill. Abigail was surprised they could see the path so clearly.  The stars seemed to be incredibly bright tonight.

  Nathan began running and calling out his name when he saw his father. Levi looked tired, but his face lit up as his son ran towards him.  "Dad, we were waiting for you!  Mom was worried, but I knew you would be alright."  Levi smiled and wrapped his arms around his son.  It had been a difficult day herding the sheep, but everything seemed better now.

  Breathless, Abigail joined the embrace. "You're very late!" she scolded, wrapping her arms tight around her husband.

  "I'm sorry.  It couldn't be helped.  We almost lost a few today," Levi answered, "I hope you brought food with you.  I'm starving."

  As Abigail looked up to smile at Levi, she noticed an incredible light in the sky.  Levi followed his wife's gaze.  "What in the world is that?

  The light became more brilliant.  The entire hill was lit up.  Levi could see the other shepherds returning with their flocks as if it were day.  Both scared and excited, they all walked forward toward the light. A heavenly figure appeared out of the light, saying, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today, in the city of David, a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.  And this will be the sign you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Then the sky was filled with heavenly angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

  No one said a word while the angels praised God.  Their voices were beautiful and powerful simultaneously, and no one felt the chill of the night air.  The sight was spectacular! Abigail wondered if they were in the heavens or still on earth as her heart seemed to soar upwards toward the light.  And then, as quickly as the light appeared, they were gone, but their heavenly voices would be an everlasting memory.
(To be continued...)
-Susan