Archive for: 󈥬/14/2009’

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.

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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!

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A Journey Begins

12/14/2009 Posted by mindsinger

In Nazareth, a small town not far from the Sea of Galilee, a young girl of about 15 goes about her daily chores.  She is obedient to her parents and devoted to Jehovah.  She has been taught the Jewish law and traditions from an early age by her mother.  She is familiar with the story of Jehovah’s choice of a holy nation through which He will send a Savior.  She knows the anticipation of Israel and the heartbreak of the long wait for Messiah.

She is betrothed to a young man of the village, a carpenter.  The betrothal ceremony was brief and arranged entirely by the parents of the couple.  It was as binding as marriage is in our day and could be broken only by divorce.

In the midst of her everyday life, on an ordinary day, an extraordinary visitor appears.  There is no doubt that this is an angel.  In fact, it is the angel, Gabriel, God’s messenger.  And the young girl is Mary.  Gabriel tells her that she will bear the Messiah and will call his name, Jesus.  Mary asks how this can be since she is a virgin.  The angel assures her that she will be with child by the Holy Spirit.

In the year 2009 this would not be a problem.  In the year 33bc it was a very deadly problem.  The punishment for out-of-wedlock pregnancy was to be taken to a cliff, thrown over it and stoned to death.  When she told Joseph what had happened he did not believe her story.  Sadly, he retuned to his home and considered his options.  He could publicly denounce her, whereupon she would very likely be stoned.  He could marry her quickly and give the child his name.  Or, he could divorce her privately and send her away; saving her life but abandoning her and the child.

Joseph loved Mary deeply and felt torn apart by the dilemma.  Sleep finally came to him and while he slept, Gabriel appeared to him in a dream and confirmed what Mary had told him; that her child was indeed of God and he was to take her as his wife and guard the child.  This he did and the two of them settled down to live in Nazareth where Joseph would continue to work as a carpenter.

But Caesar Augustus changed their plans by ordering all citizens to return to the city of their ancestors to be counted and taxed.  That meant that Mary, who by now was almost at the end of her pregnancy, must also go to Bethlehem, the City of their ancestor, David.

Mary packed the few clothes they owned along with the swaddling cloths for the new baby.  The young couple packed bread and water and arranged the saddlebags upon the little donkey with room for Mary to ride when she was too weary to walk.  Mary must have looked back with longing at the modest little home they were leaving.  Joseph was also worried about leaving his business and about the safety of Mary and her child.  It would be a long journey of 70 to 80 miles.  Nights would be spent sleeping on the ground away from the main road and it would take them many days.  Their goal was Bethlehem and the most longed for birth in history.

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