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
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