Disclaimer:

This next writing is a work of fiction. I am not claiming that this is what happened, or am I even saying this could of happened. I have done little to no research on this story. The Biblical account given in the story is taken from The Gospel of Luke, King James Version.

The Shepherd

     I am a shepherd, my father was a shepherd,  my grandfather was a shepherd, and so on, as far back as I know we have always been shepherds. My father died when I was quite young, he fell from some rocks trying to gather in the flock during a bad storm. Not the most rewarding life. But a good life and an honest life. Which leads me to my story,

     Mother and I went to town, something we do almost every month. It was always exciting and a little frightening, there are so many people, and lots of noise. Mother knows some of the people. And by these people we are treated very well. But many other people are rude and treat us as if there is something wrong with us. Mother says it is because we are shepherds, and many people think they are better than us. She also says not to worry about it because there is nothing wrong with being a  shepherd, do a good job , be honest in your trading and people will respect you.

On this particular trip, as we walked to town, Mother asked me if I thought I was ready to take over the flock from Grandfather. She of course new that I felt I was. For Grandfather was getting very old. I had spent a lot of time with Grandfather and watched and learned all about shepherding from him. I loved my grandfather and thought I new all about him.

When Mother and I entered the town and made our way to the market a friend of ours told mother that a man named Luke, a holy man, had asked about Grandfather and wanted to speak to him, and had left word that when we came to town we should look for him in the temple district. Mother looked worried but said she thought that someday this would happen.

After concluding our business in the market we went to the temple area to look for this holy man, Luke. I wondered what this was all about, for Grandfather never went to town, and while he was a very good man, and we kept all the holy days of the calender, what could a holy man want with Grandfather? After a little searching we found the place where this man, Luke was. He and Mother had a hushed conversation and she agreed that he could accompany us home. On the way home I tried to question the man to find out what he wanted with Grandfather. But all my questions were answered with his own questions about the flock, and how old I was, and my knowledge of Gods Law. Even though I felt he was avoiding my questions I liked this man.

When we got home Mother told Grandfather all that had happened on our trip and of course that he had company. Grandfather seemed happy, almost as if he had expected this man Luke to come. He said he would tell Luke all he wanted to know after he had supped with us. The conversation at supper was about the man named Jesus, I had heard much about him, for his fame reached to even the fields of us shepherds. when ever someone had news of him Grandfather always listened and smiled.

When supper was over and I was sent to bed. I lay for a long time listening to Grandfather tell Luke a story I had never heard Grandfather tell before. He told of a night when Grandfather was a younger man, and my own father was around my age. He told of how he had been on the night watch of the flocks, and was conversing with some of the other shepherds when suddenly the sky was light and an angel appeared and they were very afraid. And the angel spoke to them and said  Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Then Grandfather told of how after the departure of the angel, he and the other shepherds went into Bethlehem.They found all as the angel had said. And as they went away from this scene they told all that  they met of what had transpired and people were amazed.

Grandfather finished his story and Luke thanked him. Then it was Luke's turn, Luke told Grandfather much about the life of Jesus. I continued to listen as there conversation went on into the night but I eventually fell asleep and did not hear all that was said.

The next day Luke stayed for awhile and came to the fields to see the sheep. I told him I had heard much of his conversation with Grandfather, he said that it was a good thing and that I should remember the things I had heard. And that I should tell of these things to all who will listen.

            

Christmas Lights

O.K. so now we come to this. I have no problem with decorating early for Christmas, outside. It makes sense in my area , with the weather more agreeable early in November. Decorate but don't turn them on before Thanksgiving.


We have become a spoiled society. Our world has changed. We want instant gratification. If we want something we go out and buy it. When I was a child and wanted a toy or anything, I had to wait until my birthday or Christmas but I see my friends and family buy there kids stuff anytime they want it. They miss the anticipation factor. And they should learn that you can't always get what you want or atleast you can't have it when you want it.


Back before dvd, vhs and 150 channel cable and satellite, the networks would show a movie once a year. Take the Wizard of Ozz for example. They might show it during the Thanksgiving Holiday, since you couldn't own a copy or see it some other time on one of the other 150 channels, you had to watch it when they showed it. This made watching it an event. Mom would make popcorn and Dad would join us for a real family night. We would sing the songs and say the parts we had memorized just from seeing it once a year.


Now kids watch a movie over and over. They become bored. There is no anticipation, no build up to tonights showing. They miss out on tradition. I don't mean just movies either, it's every thing. We move holidays to make them more convenient. We celebrate the Fourth of July on whatever weekends closer to the day. The fireworks seem to rarely be set off on the Fourth. One year we went out to Mount Rushmore, arrived in the area on the third and thought we would go see the fireworks on the fourth. Wrong, the fourth was a Monday so they had the fireworks on the previous weekend. Come on, no fireworks on the fourth, at Mount Rushmore, whatever.


I'm just suggesting that we keep some traditions. Don't give the gifts early. Don't celebrate on the convenient weekend. (at least not all the time). Don't turn the Christmas lights on till after Thanksgiving.

Why the Mayan calender ends in 2012.

Bob Mayan: Bill, the reason I called you here is to see how the new calender is coming along.

Bill Alsomayan: I 've got it figured out till the year 2000.

Bob Mayan: Don't you think thats bad luck to end on a Millenial year like that?

Bill Alsomayan: I could keep going. When do you think I should stop?

Bob Mayan: Well this Thursday is my 12th anniversary, why not end it in 2012?

Bill Alsomayan: You got it Chief. I'll have a copy on your desk in the morning.

Bob Mayan: Thanks Bill. On your way out could you send in whoever is next?

Christmas Party

It was another successful Christmas eve blowout thrown by yours truly,
or so it seemed. The food had been ready since 6 o'clock about the
time the first guests arrived. This party had become quite the
tradition for friends and assorted family. We couldn't invite some
members of the family they were a little too straight laced and
wouldn't have approved of the drinking and carousing. Of course we
had to invite uncle Al, he was the one with the eggnog recipe that
would defrost anyone, no matter how cold it was outside.

This years party had gone the way of many previous years, eating,
drinking, someone hitting on someone else wife or girl friend. Words
were exchanged, blows were threatened, peace was returned by everyone
admitting that perhaps it was just the alcohol. Eventually the party
had started to wind down.

Couples were seeking quiet corners for a little snuggling by the fire,
listening to soft Christmas music. I decided this seemed like a good
idea to me. I found my wife, hard at work in the kitchen, and tried
to convince her to take a break and sit by the fire. She said she had
spoken to our next door neighbors the Whites, who had invited us to a
special midnight service at there church. I told her that I hoped to
be past out by midnight and that there was no way I was going to
church with the neighbors. I mean I had done the neighborly thing and
invited them to my party, and did they show? No.

Well the snow had been coming down all night. And Uncle Al was of course
the last to leave. I walked him to his car and wished him a Merry
Christmas, asked him if he was O.K. to drive. He said he was, but
hoped his kids would sleep in because he was sure he'd have a
hangover tomorrow. I said good luck tomorrows Christmas they'll be up
by 6:00. He laughed and drove away.

As Uncle Al drove down the street I noticed the hat from our snowman had
blown over into the neighbors yard. Everyone in the neighborhood
seemed to have decorated this year, I lined the house with
multi-colored lights, my neighbor across the street had the giant
blow up Santa, a little tacky I think. And the Whites had the
traditional nativity scene. I wandered over and bent down to pick up
the hat and stumbled a little and found myself face to face with
Christmas. I knelt there in the yard in front of that manger and I'm
sure I looked just like any other character in that scene. It was as
if I could see the whole scene from a distance, there I was kneeling
with hat in hand in front of Jesus. All of a sudden it came back to
me, all that I'd been taught all that I knew, The real reason for
this holiday. I didn't waste any time, I ran to the house, got my
wife, who was ready in a second. When I told her what had happened
she didn't say a thing, we walked over to the Whites and joined them
at there church for what was to become our new Christmas tradition.

We now have the Whites over every Christmas and some of the family, the
straight laced ones. No more spiked eggnog. You know Uncle Al can
make it even better without the rum. And all the friends that come
are invited to go to church with us, and many do.

If you'd like to find out the meaning of Christmas read Luke chapter 2 Verses 1 through 19 

or at least Luke chapter 2 verse 11.

Ghosts of Chistmas past

Reminiscing...
There was the room, or at least the room as it was most of the time,
tired old couch, Dad's worn chair, old table for Dad's Hi-Fi, And I
think the only piece of furniture my mother ever had new, an end
table, that she saved S&H green stamps for. I believe it was
early American, the only piece of that style. But that's the way we
were, simple, plain and mismatched. I can see the room as described,
and yet, I can see it as it was one Christmas morning, tree in the
corner brightly decorated, with ornaments that became so familiar,
like friends who returned every year, presents stacked and filling
half the floor, it seemed as if there was no place to step. Earlier
in the week. As Christmas loomed inevitable, each of us kids had
chosen our spot to sit and receive our gifts when Dad passed them
out. Chris by the heater vent, Craig by the couch and I by the door
that led to the front hall. Mom would take her seat on the couch. Dad
would put a stack of records on the turn table, walk to the tree and
begin handing out gifts. I loved all those packages brightly wrapped.
I remember the anticipation, not only for what I had received but to
see what the others would receive. I remember the smell of pine and
the rush of heat when the furnace would kick on. I can't remember all
the gifts that I received but I do know one, one that filled the room
and fills my memories, the gift of love, the gift of family. So this
Christmas make a memory. Remember your family, remember to love.