#183: Lamb Tales From Bethlehem (A Christmas Story)

 

Ima limped painfully out of the wadi into which she fell earlier. It was not her fault. She fell in trying to protect me from a thornbush. Now there was a pebble stuck in her foot. But the Boy took it out. Ima must rest now. I am allowed to remain with her though I am old enough to be separated from the other young Rams. They are rough and tease me saying I will turn into a Ewe just like Ima, but Ima said it is not possible. I believe her. She is soft and smells of sweet grass. I lie next to her in the pen. Her breathing is slow and steady. I start to fall asleep.

“You were always a queer little one, weren't you?” There was a smile in her voice as she said it. I turned my ears to Ima's voice as she spoke.

“When I held you in my womb, my dear, the shepherd thought I was carrying twins! I was so heavy with you. I could not move like the other sheep. So, the farmer delayed our herd's migration until I had given you birth. I am eternally grateful. Yours was a difficult one. Both the farmer and his wife thought I would give up but I did not.” She smiles. I am fully awake now as Ima continue her story. “When you were cleaned, there was a clear little star in the middle of your forehead. It is faint now, but I still see it. After you could walk steadily on your legs, we began our migration. We had to cross the unforgiving desert to the Shepherd's hometown. It was necessary. It was brutal too.

BETHLEHEM at last. The place was packed little as the town is. Finding space for anything at all was hard. More packed even than at the feast of the Passover. There was dust everywhere. Sounds and sights filled the atmosphere, and it was easy to trample livestock and even the little people at times. The noise was a constant low but very present and disturbing thrum. It always felt like the people were on edge, however. Like they were awaiting something or Someone. Even the field grasses looked weighed down with the pressure of anticipation.  Joyful reunions as well as thieves being chased to and fro. We had a warm place to sleep and food to eat because the shepherd worked for a very rich man. Nathan ben David was his name. Cousin to David Ben Lazarus who lived in Bethany, a small village Southeast of Jerusalem. He too was a very rich man owning vast acres of vineyards which sold his wine even to Rome. He lived with his two sisters; Martha and the beautiful Mary who owned her husband's wealth now. By the time the stars shone bright and clear, we were settled already. You quickly fell asleep after nursing for a while. The nights are never quiet either here. The only difference from the daytime is that the sun does not shine. You see, these times are multipurpose for a lot of events and activities. Babies are born, People are betrothed, Wedding Ketubahs are signed, and young boys pass the rite of manhood by observing their Bar Mitzvah at the synagogue (memorizing the Torah). The noise was a constant companion even though our Master's estate was out of town.

Usually, we sheep spend our time outside the town grazing in grassy knolls. Sheep are easily terrified. But you and I had an exception, my dear. The master let us stay in the barn for I was due to have you. We had special treatment that afternoon. Though closer to town and thus very noisy, I was not scared because I had you in the best conditions. The stars had fallen again, and it was a very high evening. Sounds of dancing and music could be heard clearly from inside the town. Travellers were still arriving. Inns were getting full. Wealthy men's homes like our Master's were ready full as well, both with strangers and family. But no child of Yahweh is stranger to another. The place really was packed full. Among those who called on the Master for lodgings was an elderly man who had no more children left and nowhere to stay. There was no room. He volunteered to stay in the barn with us. He cradled you carefully and held you like you were breakable. I chuckled a little. You have a very special purpose, my dear, to be so beloved of humans. The Master gave you and I away to him then. Later on, a tired couple was ushered into the barn as well. The beautiful lady was very heavily pregnant but there was something. Something about this pregnant couple that wasn't normal. The young husband tried his best to provide excellent lodgings for his pregnant wife. The old man offered to help and laid you in the manger. The men were too busy to hear her feeble requests for help so when she looked toward me resignedly, I trudged toward her, nudged her husband's back, and bleated as loud as I could. What happened next was a complete toss. People everywhere. Servants coming from the Master's house to help and whatnot. The men were asked to stay outside. They took you along. I was in the room until the birth was over. Then the most remarkable things happened, my dear, it was as if all of creation was at a standstill. From generation to generation, it has been passed down that we were awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God. Deep in my heart, I felt this was what we had been waiting for. The little infant did not even squeak as He was wrapped tight in swaddling clothes – that detail, I cannot forget; He was wrapped in a cloth for newly born lambs. The moment the midwife gave him to his mother, there was a bright flash of light high in the skies. A light halo enveloped mother and son. Looking at them, I felt very free. It was almost as if I could sing. Silently, I made my way toward the Mother and Baby. I was breathlessly curious. What could this be? What I saw was the very same we see every morning when we join all of creation to worship YHWH. The men were allowed to come in and in they came with a company full of Shepherds. These herders of ours talked very excitedly about beings of great light and a great phenomenon that had occurred in the sky. A little smile played on the corner of the young mother's lips. Her husband was clearly astonished. The baby was asleep in the manger. Soon, more men came in. The Magi: each bearing very expensive gifts for The King. They spoke greatly of being led by a Star of David. Our Master's name coincidentally being David. At the mention of each gift, the child would raise a palm like a true King. It was astonishing. Overcome with awe and wonder, the Old man offered you to the young mother as a gift. She smiled at him though clear, beautiful eyes and asked him to keep us and not separate you from me. She said that her Baby would not want that. It was odd but there it was. That Baby saved you and I, my dear, from certain doom. That Baby is our Savior. Christ the Messiah who saves. The room felt lighter. People must know my dear, people must know - a new beginning is at hand”

Ima is quiet but awake. Many questions attack my mind, but one lingers most. I was saved even before I knew I could die. I was granted the chance to live by a Baby whom I'd never seen. Before I took a bleat, I had been redeemed by the birth of this Baby Christ King. I tell myself that I owe my life to Him and fall asleep thinking about heavenly great lights and beautiful sounds. I think I like Bethlehem.

…to be continued

(inspired from Romans 8:18-30; Luke 2:1-21; Matt 1:18-2:12)

Written by Kauna MaiDaraja (Marcus Precious) with insights from Dawn Bassey