Archive for: ‘December 2009’

What Did They See?

12/25/2009 Posted by mindsinger

Did you ever stop to think that a newborn baby doesn’t need to do a thing but lie there and sleep to be endlessly fascinating?  We don’t expect him to react to baby talk or smile at us or even open his eyes to captivate us.  But somewhere tucked away in our hearts is a picture of all the things this baby will mean to his family; all the wobbly first steps, the smiles, the excitement of first words, and the promise of a new life.  So, what did the shepherds see in this child they had found?  How about Mary and Joseph?  What did they think as they studied his face and counted fingers and toes?

The shepherds’ hearts were filled with the splendor and music of Heaven.  They knelt before the child the angels had called a Savior and Christ the Lord.  The humble stable – a place familiar to keepers of sheep – disappeared and all their attention was centered on this wonder before them.  They had had no time to think of Isaiah’s beautiful words or call to mind the many other prophecies about the child.  But they had seen Heaven opened and knew He had come from that glorious place   There was no room for doubt in their minds.

Mary smoothed the downy head and tried to forget the crown of thorns that would one day rest there.  “There will be time for mothering!  He need not be Messiah for a few years.  He will be my child and I will keep him warm and I will love him!”  For nine months her thoughts had vacillated between wonder and dread.  She had listened as scripture was read in the Synagogue and knew they spoke of her son.  The first wonder at the news had softened into awareness of the new life growing within her and kept her thoughts on the soft warmth of his newness and the tenderness of a new baby.

Joseph was as much in awe of the child as the shepherds; but he had had nine months to ponder the scripture passages about the Messiah.  He had memorized many of the prophetic scriptures and he knew with certainty from where this child originated.  He knew that Isaiah had seen him, high and lifted up, with the Seraphim thundering his praise in the throne room of Heaven.  He knew this child had somehow left the glory that had been his since before time began and allowed himself to be born into the home of a poor carpenter.  “Where is the glory hidden?” he asked himself.  “You are God in man, yet you give yourself into our care!  I helped Mary deliver our Deliverer!  God help me to be your protector!”

Each one saw the Child through mortal eyes and each kept the wonder of that night as a warm hope in their hearts.  Yes, a baby was born that night; born as all babies are born, and in conditions as poor as many millions of babies are born today.  I wonder if any saw the echoes of glory in his eyes.

THE WHITE BIRD (TWO)

12/14/2009 Posted by mindsinger

White Bird stayed with the farmer for several days.  She would sit on his shoulder as he worked in the field or perch on his table as he ate his meals.  Just having her there made the old man happy.  “I am glad you came,” he said.  “I was very lonely.  My children live far away and my good wife is in Heaven.  Will you make your home with me?”

“That would be a nice thing,” said the lovely white bird, “but I feel in my heart that I must go on.”  She hung her head.  “I think I am very, very old, Grandfather.  My eyes have seen many journeys and my heart seems strangely jubilant, even though I do not know why.  Today I must go on.  But I will fly from your field and I will leave you the gift of hope.  I know your good wife is in Heaven, but she is watching you and loving you and some day you will be together again.”

The old farmer ran a gnarled hand over her soft white feathers.  “I thank you for staying with me a while and bringing happiness back into this cottage.  Now I must cut more wheat.  I wish I could give you something for your journey, but you could not carry it.”

White Bird flew to his shoulder.  You have given me peaceful rest and companionship.  That is a true gift, Grandfather.”

The old man with the white bird on his shoulder walked through the barn lot and on to the wheat field.  White Bird flew from his shoulder and swept in graceful arcs back and forth before she passed from his sight.

White Bird flew over fields and forests, towns and hills.  She would rest in a high tree now and then, but her path was always to the West.    One day a meadow lark flew beside her.  “Where are you going, White Bird?” the meadow lark asked.  “And why do you not sing as I do?”

“I have forgotten where I am to go,” answered White Bird.  “But I feel I must keep on in this direction.  I cannot sing beautifully; I can only make a soft cooing sound.”  She brought up from low in her throat a coo that had a soft bubbling sound to it.  “I am useful for quieting newborn babies.”  Her wings skipped a beat and she fluttered to a tree branch.  “Why is that important?” she said aloud.

Meadow lark landed beside her.  “What is wrong?  Are you hurt?”

“No.  A thought came to me and I think it is a clue.  I must think about this.”  And she tucked her head beneath her wing and sat very still.  She was quiet so long the meadow lark flew off to find other companions.

White Bird thought until her head ached, but no new thoughts came to her and she fell asleep.  She spent the day and night huddled on the tree branch.  The morning sun sent rosy light glistening off her feathers and woke her from her sleep.  She could hear Meadow larks singing their morning praise and a bunny and her children hopped along beneath her.  The sun, the larks and the bunny family had lifted her spirits and she set off toward the west with renewed energy.

HEAVEN’S BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

12/14/2009 Posted by mindsinger

Isn’t it great to hear about a new baby in the family?  First-time parents send out announcements with the headline, “It’s a Boy!”  or “It’s a Girl!”  We consider the perfect gift to give the little one and anticipate holding a squirming little bundle in our arms.  (Grammas are particularly prone to this!)  A royal birth is heralded by royal announcement and media attention.  Other heads of state are notified of an heir to the throne.  Seldom is an announcement made to commoners; they receive the news as bits and pieces fall from the royal family’s important friends. Naturally, one would expect the most momentous announcement in history would be made to important dignitaries; those who hold power and prestige.  But God did not consider the lowly estate of the shepherds to be unworthy of His notice.

The shepherds to whom the wonderful news was first proclaimed were as far removed from royalty as night is from day.  Their life was lived in the company of sheep.  Their home was generally in a cave carved into the Judean hills and if large enough was shared by the sheep.  The aroma of lanolin and wool permeated their robes and townspeople gave them wide berth.  Their sheep were far more important than they were.  The very best; those without blemish, could be sold at the Temple in Jerusalem for sacrifice. Most of their nights were passed under the stars as they huddled in their cloaks, taking turns staying awake to make sure nothing disturbed the flock.  The sheep would be sleeping; silent mounds of wool in small groups.

Remember, this was a time before radio provided music; before artificial light provided illumination.  The hills were dark, the stars luminous against a velvet sky, or the soft glow of the moon.

In one momentous moment, the humble shepherds were visited by light and music and the most awe inspiring of all beings.  Into the blackness around them appeared a blinding light; and in the midst of that light, an angel.  Their first thought was fear.  So noble a being, so brilliant the light, could not be safe.

Then a voice like soft thunder spoke.  And, as angels always had to do, this one told them not to be afraid.  The Great Announcement was made to the most humble men in Bethlehem.  Spurned by man; loved by God; and considered worthy to be entrusted with the greatest birth announcement in the history of man.

Do you wonder if any others heard faint echoes of the host of angels praising God and rejoicing in awe of His great gift?  Do you wonder if anyone saw the glow in the skies above the shepherd’s fields?  Heard the music of Heaven besides the shepherds?  Close your eyes for a moment and think about that moment in history.  Think of darkness becoming noontime.  Think of music coming to ears accustomed only to the bleating of sheep.  Announcement of royal birth to keepers of sacrificial lambs.  Only God would think of that!