A CHRISTMAS STORY
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THE SHEPHERDS' STORY
I sat in Hope Pastures , scrolling my mind, traversing the memories of two thousand years. A bright light shattered the scroll , and I fell in a trance. I was transported to Palestine, and a little Jewish boy led me backward through the corridor of time. Lo and behold, what I heard and saw. It was winter in Palestine. The mountainous region of Palestine is formed by two parallel lines of the mountains of Lebanon. A coastal plain lies along the west bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea occupy a long deep valley between the mountains. There are several mountain ranges- Mts. Hermon, Carmel, Tabor, Moriah, Gilboa, Nebo, Tisgah, Zion and Olive. Although the land is very rough, the region is naturally fertile. To the south, is the desert region called the Negeb, There are many caves , the most famous being the cave of Abdullam. The Mediterranean coast is fruitful . The interior plain of the Jordan, robbed of moisture by the mountains, is a desert. The area around the Dead Sea is rocky and barren. There are many natural wells and fountains such as the well of Bethlehem and the well of Samaria. where Abram used to water his flocks, and the Philistines once suffered a severe defeat. The coastal climate of Palestine is warm and wet from the winds of the Mediterranean Sea. which bring a lot of rain in the winter season. In the northern parts of Palestine and the Judah hills there is snow in winter due to the cold winds from Asia., but the Jordan valley always remains warm. The rains come in winter and cease in Spring, and the summer, especially in the Jordan valley, is hot and dry. On a certain dark and rainy night, I fell into a trance, at my home in Hope Pastures. I, a Jamaican mystic, was led by a little Jewish boy , to Bethlehem in Palestine, to meet the man of all ages, Father Time. Judaea lay sleeping beneath the troubled sky, while weary shepherds watched their sheep against thieves, hungry wolves , wild dogs and mountain lions. Judaea slept fitfully because, like on any other night, there was no peace in the land. Judaea, a region of Biblical Canaan, the Promised Land, taken by force from indigenous peoples called Canaanites, suffered hundred of years of successive conquests and oppression. Judaea is mostly desert, but olives, grapes , figs, oranges and grain grow in fertile places. Sheep rearing is a staple occupation. Warrior King David came from Judaea. He had joined all the tribes of Israel into one Kingdom of Israel, and established Jerusalem, captured from the Jebusites , as his capital. The Kingdom was divided into Judaea to the south and Israel to the north, after the death of Solomon, the Wise. The Babylonians captured Jerusalem and carried away its inhabitants as captives to Babylon. Cyrus , the Great, king of Persia conquered Babylon and restored the Jews to Jerusalem. Then the Romans came. Abijam rested his weary back against the rock-face whose overhang barely provided shelter from the rain. Close to him, on his right , huddled his father –in-law, Aran- Isaac, on his left , his teenage son, Eleazar. Aran-Isaac, bronzed, massive and heavily bearded, had built a small fire. Eleazar pulled his coarse woollen garment tightly about him and squatted near the fire, yet he was shivering from the cold, goose bumps breaking out on his naked arms and legs, while his strong teeth chattered. His father did not seem bothered by the rain and the cold. “Those stinking Romans! Turd of sheep!" Abijam rumbled. “Those filty Romans! Gentile dogs! Savage animals! That’s what they are, with their heathen tongue, their graven images and eagles of brass !” He took his flute from his shepherd’s bag, fitted his fingers and placed it to his lips. then changed his mind and replaced it in his bag. He took out a thick, circular loaf of wheat bread, instead, and a lump of cheese He broke the bread into three and gave a piece to each of his companions. They each broke a piece of the cheese. Aran–Isaac took a wine-skin from his bag. They took turns drinking the wine between mouthfuls of bread and cheese. “Thieves and murderers! That is what they are!” Abijam bitterly swore. “We are oppressed too long! Remember Maccabeus?” “Yeah,” Aran Isaac growled in reply. ”He was long before our time. "We need a hero like Judas Maccabeus to drive the infidels from our land, ” Abijam angrily continued. “The prophets are only making promises that Yahweh will soon free us. Freedom is taking a rather long time. How much longer must we suffer? Now we are going to be taxed to maintain the armies of Rome!” “Who was Maccabeus, Father?” Eleazar stammered, his teeth still chattering, despite the fire. Abijam drew his son closer, the warmth of his body radiating heat into the boy. Abijam’s thick woollen robe stank of sweat and the rankness of rams, but the boy was used to that. He also stank. The protective embrace of his father against the cold was more important to him. The boy’s grand-father, Aran –Isaac, re-arranged the twigs in the fire and fanned the flames to rise and roar generating warmth against the murkiness of the dark and dripping rain. “Maccabeus?” Abijam grunted. “My father told me about him when I was a little boy. His father told him and his grandfather before him. Abijam paused to organize reminiscences of his father. “Maccabeus was a hero and a patriot. So was his father, Mattathias, before him. Mattathias was the High Priest of Judaea. When the Syrians subdued Judaea, Anthiochus their king, tried to destroy the worship of Yahweh, The One True God. Mattathias fled with his five sons and many people to the mountains whither he waged war against the Syrians. When he died, his eldest son, Judas Maccabeus, became leader of the struggle. He defeated the Syrians in many battles, tore down their false gods and altars, restored Solomon’s Temple and the worship of Yahweh. Your great-great grandfather, Jeshua, fought alongside him against the Syrians. They both died side-by- side in battle. Now we have no great hero to drive the Roman dogs from our midst!” He spat at the fire in contempt of the Romans. “The Maccabees were a priestly people who fought against oppression, but now the priests are worse that the Romans," Aran– Isaac grumbled. “Yeah,” Abijam replied. “They too are oppressing their own people. Annas and Caiaphas are Roman lackeys! They bow and scrape to the Roman procurator who calls them citizens of Rome. Just two moons past, that little boy, Simeon , the son of Cephas, who sells fruits and vegetables by the Temple gate, and Ephraim, his cousin, decided to peep behind the Temple curtains to see what Yahweh was doing in the Holy of Holies. Ephraim got cold feet, but Simeon crept under the drapes." “ The Holy of Holies!” Aran–Isaac shouted in horror. “That was an abomination! What did he see? Did he die before telling what he saw ?” “No,” he didn’t die,” Abijam replied, roaring with laughter. “ Simeon told his cousin, what he saw. His cousin told his mother what Simeon told him that he saw. She told Rebecca, Simeon’s mother, what her son told her that Simeon said he saw, and she told her husband, Cephas, what she had heard about their son.” “And Simeon is still alive? What did he see?” Aran –Isaac asked again. Abijam cleared his throat and gazed at the fire, before speaking. " No, he didn’t die. In fact, he disobeys his father’s command to keep it a secret and offers to whisper it to everyone he meets for a small fee. I am surprised you haven’t heard of it.” “What did he see? Tell us!” Aran- Isaac impatiently asked. An excited Eleazar joined his grandfather in a vociferous plea. “Ephraim told his mother that Simeon said that he saw the High Priest, his swollen, ulcerated foot propped up on the Mercy Seat, and he was trimming his beard with a sacrificial knife, and drinking plenty of wine from a golden cup!” Abijam said, laughing with a sneer. “ Son of Seoul!” Aran– Isaac roared in horror. “That little boy went into the Holy of Holies and no harm befell him? It’s a lie! I don’t believe it! Has Caiaphas a sore foot?" “ That I don’t know,” Abijam replied, amused at his father-in-law’s oaths and curiosity. “And I don’t care to know either! No harm befell Simeon. though he ought to have died like that Ishmael of Nazareth who stole a leg of a burnt offering and having eaten it, died almost instantly.” “Ishmael deserved to die,” Aran-Isaac vehemently remarked. “Last moon, he stole the scape –goat and ate it, having offered to lead it into the desert.” Abijam looked anxiously at the darkness. “If it weren’t for the thieves and the wild animals, I wish myself in bed. No good Israelite should be out on a foul night like this,“ he grumbled. “Ah-ah!” his father –in- law laughed “ I am sure Sarah is hot with desire for you , while you are here shivering in the cold,” he pleasantly teased “Father , you said Simeon did not die. What happened then?” Eleazar asked ,in wonderment. "When Cephas heard what Simeon had done he tore his clothes and fell prostrate on the ground, begging Yahweh not to kill his son. Rebecca fainted, fasted ands prayed for three days," Abiram replied. “ What happened then?” Eleazar repeated. He was so excited, that heedless of the rain, he no longer felt the cold. Abijam stood up and gently placed a hand on his son’s head. “ Cephas took Rebecca , his wife, and Simeon , his son, and a lamb to the Temple to confess what his son had done and to offer a burnt offering in gratitude to Yahweh." he said. " A priest told him that a lamb was not enough to appease Yahweh’s wrath for such a monstrous sin. He had to bring a bullock!” “That I don’t understand!” Aran- Isaac exclaimed. “Everyone ought to see that Yahweh was not annoyed with that mischievous little boy. The boy did not die. You said that he is jumping up and down and about, offering to tell his story for a small fee to anyone who cares to hear. A bullock, you say? There was no need for a burnt sacrifice of atonement," Aran -Isaac’s voice rose above the wind and the rain that was now pattering more loudly on the surrounding scanty foliage . “Yes, an ox!” Abijam said. “A bullock ! Cephas cried in distress, Yahweh, be merciful! I am a poor man. I have a single ox to do my ploughing! The priest said to Cephas, Well, which are you prepared to lose, your bullock or your son?" “And what did poor Cephas do ?” Aran- Isaac quietly asked. Abijam’s voice was thick with anger, “He sacrificed his only ox, and now he and his son pull, while Rebecca guides the plough !” Aran-Isaac’s laughter was bitter. “Stupid man!” he cried “ Though I am a poor man myself, if I had known of his distress, I would have lent him the money to buy an ox for the sacrifice. He would have to pay me back with interest, of course. Isaiah , your great -great grandfather warns that we must put our trust only in Yahweh. Not in rulers and princes. He said that Jahweh saves and protects the faithful and punishes their enemies. He said that Yahweh promised to restore his people.” “The priests do not seem to read Isaiah seriously,” Abijam scoffed. " They are not listening to the prophets.. They seem to have hardened their hearts and have blind-folded their eyes and have placed plugs in their ears. Take this matter of burnt offerings. Isaiah says that Yahweh said, To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifice unto me? I am full of the burnt sacrificed of rams, and the fat of beasts and I delight not in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or of he-goats.” “You speak truth., Abijam,” Aran-Isaac said. “ The priests heed not or they would not demand a poor man’s ox. Bring me no more ovations, Yahweh said. Your new moons and your special feasts, I hate. When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my face. Yea, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are filled with blood.” “ Is Yahweh tired of eating meat and drinking blood and listening to prayers, Father?” Eleazar naively asked. Aran- Isaac swiftly answered before Abijam could recover from the shock of his son’s stunning question. “ I hope not, Son,” he said. “ Yahweh likes to listen to good prayers. Yahweh says, according to your great - great grandfather, Isaiah- Come and let us reason together. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. “ Aran– Isaac paused for a while to reflect. “ These are powerful words,” he shouted. ‘These are evil days. Terrible things are happening to us. There are more terrible things to come, for we are a stiff-necked people.” “ But why are you shouting, Aran–Isaac?” a disgruntled Abijam mocked. “ There is no one out there to hear you.” “ Let the sheep and the wind and the rain hear, if there is no one out there to hear me,” Aran- Isaac angrily retorted. “ Grandpa, you could still lend Cephas the money to buy an ox for the ploughing, “ Eleazar suggested. Aran -Isaac ignored his grand-son’s wish, knelt beside the fire and started to pray aloud, “Judge, O Yahweh. Be our Judge. Forgive us our transgressions, and correct our evil ways. Save us from utter destruction. Pour thy mercy upon us. Send justice upon the land. Send us another Maccabeus to save us from oppression." Eleazar knelt beside his grand-father. Abijam stood and made no comment, but peered out into the darkness which was weakly pierced by the tiny flame of the fire at his feet. He was sick of his father-in –law’s constant and fruitless praying. He bent and stirred the fire to renew its life. It had started to rain heavily again. He wished the rain would cease. To add to his discomfort and anxiety, the sheep started to bleat loudly. Aran- Isaac stopped his praying. “ What could be disturbing the sheep ?” he anxiously asked. He rose and grasped his shepherd’s staff. “ Stay ,” he said. “ I will go to see what is happening.” “ Careful now, “ Abijam said. “ it is a foul night. Shout if you need help." Aran- Isaac firmly gripped his staff, gritted his teeth and was quickly swallowed by the blackness of the night. Abijam and Eleazar peered out into the darkness, but could see not see anything. Aran-Isaac noticed that black billowy clouds had blotted out the stars , but a single bright light , very bright, pierced the gloomy dome of heaven with its singular brilliance to show him way. When Aran–Isaac returned, Eleazar said, “ Grandpa , it sounds as if the sheep were singing!" “I see nothing untoward with the flock,” Aran- Isaac said. “ The lambs are nestling close to the dams, and the rams are standing huddled together. But I can’ t understand. There is something strange out there tonight. There is a very bright star near to the Dog Star. I have never seen a star so bright. Come, have a look. The rain has ceased." “ Granpa, I hear singing in the sky,” Eleazar cried. “ Listen. Do you hear it?” “Shut up your nonsense, boy! “ Abijam snapped. “ You should not play pranks on your elders.” “Something terrible is happening,” Aran- Isaac cried, ‘’The darkness has gone!” Suddenly the sky was lit with stars , then they flickered out leaving the brightest star, and Aran – isaac, Eleazar and Abijam fell to the ground as that star suddenly shone on them., momentarily blinding them. “Yahweh, Yahweh is Lord!” Aran-Iaac was shouting, in adoration. " Blessed be Yahweh forever. “ “ The sheep are bleating again. That doesn’t sound like an alarm,” Eleazar anxiously remarked from his crouched position. “In all my life, I have never heard sheep make such noise.” “It sounds like singing!” said Aran- Isaac , anxiously looking at the sky. “Awesome things are happening , tonight!” he shouted. “ That bright star has moved . It is now glowing over Bethlehem. Lo, how it shines!” “Yes, Grandpa, “ The angels are singing glory to Yahweh. Can you hear them and see them?” Eleazar cried, jumping about excitedly " No, I see not , but I hear heavenly voices ,” Aran –Isaac, “ shouted. “ They are singing Peace on earth, goodwill to all men! Abijam, do you see or hear anything?" “I fear not ! ” Abijam gruffly replied. ” Your imagination is running wild!” “That new star shining over Bethleham is not a fantasy, Abijam, ” Aran- Isaac slowly and softly said. “You can at least see that! What was it that blinded us and threw us to the ground ? Did it happen or didn’t it happen?” “Yes, Father,” Eleazar shouted. “Our new King is born in a manger, in Bethlehem!" “How do you know that ?” Abijam asked in alarm. “Are you getting mad, Boy? You will soon be shouting next that you see sheep with wings flying in the sky! Calm yourself, Boy! Glory be!” “ Yes, Father, “ Eleazar replied. “That is what the sheep were singing, but you were not listening. They were singing- glory be!” Aran- Isaac lovingly patted his grandson on the head. “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings................” he murmured. “The day has come, at last! Glory to Israel! Oppression will cease! Your great- great grandfather, Isaiah , prophesied it, six hundred years ago, that the glory of Israel will be restored, and justice and peace like a mighty river will flow through out the land, and a righteous and mighty king shall sit again on the throne of Judah . Lo and behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and he shall be called Emmanuel.” “Do you really believe that crap?” Abijam angrily asked. “Every Jew is taught to believe the prophets,” Aran- Isaac admonished him. “You are a Jew. Are you not?” "What do the prophecies say about the Deliverer, Grandpa? “ Eleazar asked. " Father, says that we are having so many unfulfilled prophecies.” “ Your great -great grandfather, Isaiah , spoke of a king who will be called Wonderful Saviour, Wonderul Counsellor, The Everlasting Father, The King of Peace. He will sit on the throne of David and he will rule with judgement and justice forever.” Aran- Isaac replied. The rain is coming again,” Abijam said, looking up to the sky. “ Dark clouds are covering the stars, except the bright one over Bethlehem." “Tell me more , Grandpa, “ Eleazar begged, holding out the palms of his hands to wash them with the first drops of the renewed rain. “ " The rain is coming heavily, My Son. We must seek shelter. I will tell you more one of these fine days. Your great -great grandfather prophesied that a light is coming, darkness will go away , Gentiles, even the accursed Romans shall come to the light. We shall be free of the infidels and every man shall sit under his own fig tree. I believe that the long awaited Messiah has come! “ “Will he be like Maccabeus, Grandpa?” Eleazar asked. “ The prophets say that he will be the greatest,” Aran–Isaac replied “ " The prophets are all noise and no substance!” Abijam mocked. “They are mad men!" Eleazar was anxious to hear more. ‘Father, why do say that the prophet are mad men?” “Well, “ replied Abijam , “You have asked enough questions for one day. Now shut up!” he glumly ordered his son. “ Let the boy be,” Aran – Isaac said. “ Lo , the day breaks, and there is no rain. Let us go to Bethlehem to seek what we may find. We shall offer a lamb as a gift to the royal babe, if we find him.” “What about the sheep?” Abijam asked ‘Yahweh will take care of them till we return,” Aran- Isaac replied. “You may go on your wild-goose chase and take Eleazar with you,” Abijam sarcastically ordered. “Good luck to you! . I prefer to stay with the flock!" “You may stay, Abijam, ” Aran –Isaac calmly said. “I will ask your cousin, Barabbas, to come in your place.” “ Who? Barabbas? “ Abijam scoffed. “ You get him to leave his flock? Take him, if you can get him! A visit to see a king should make him change his rebellious ways. If he doesn’t change, the Romans may crucify him one of these days! Mark my words!” “ May Yahweh forbid! As rebellious as he is,” Aran- Isaac remarked, “ there is a lot of good in Barabbas. He is young and fiery, but he will change. I am certain that he will go with us to Bethlehem.” On their way to find Barabbas, they met other shepherds who told them that they were seeing a very bright star above Bethlehem, and some had seen and heard the angels, as well as the sheep. singing. Barabbas went with Aran– Isaac and Eleazar. They found a babe with Mary, his mother, and Joseph whom they thought was his real father, in a stable. They gave him the lamb and worshipped him "Who are you ?” still in a trance, I asked the little Jewish boy. "I am your own creation,” he replied. Last edited by cousinsoren 12-20-2010 at 04:38:00 PM |
When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Thirty-fifth President of the USA