He was old, really old, this shepherd-man. Gray locks spilled from his head and down the back of his tattered robe. He limped heavily and used the staff for support. A few teeth remained, hidden by an untouched beard. He eyed this visitor with unmasked suspicion. I quickly spoke to ease his troubled eyes and mind. "Hello, my friend. I am a visitor from a future time and would like to visit for awhile. Do you have the time?" "Time? That's all I have, and not much of that for sure. What brings you from a future time, wherever that is?"
" I was told you and some friends, now gone, were here the night this sky lit up with angels? Is that true? Did it actually happen, or did you all make up the story one evening while gathered around a campfire?" The old man's eyes began to flash. Something began to happen to him as his body showed new life and vigor. He spoke: " Never! Never in my ninety-two years have i seen, or heard, or felt what I did that night. It was a brilliant night sky with all the stars glowing like tiny fireflies. We had eaten our meager fare and were preparing to bed down near the animals when
a light more bright than any I had ever seen lit up the hillside. We all looked up, and there it was! An angel! I had never seen an angel, but I knew what it was. We all did. It scared us worse than driving an angry lion or bear from our herd. We fell to the ground and covered our faces, knowing this was the end. Then we heard the voice, powerful but soft: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!". We THOUGHT we had seen a bright light! Nothing like what came next! This sky up here,(and he pointed overhead) filled with angels! Hundreds! Thousands! They were all singing. I remember their words: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH, PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HE FINDS FAVOR. As quickly as they had come they disappeared into the heavens. We sat in stunned silence. Finally, I spoke; "We've got to go into Bethlehem and see this Savior! Now!". The youngest of our group was assigned to stay with the sheep. Pashur was not happy about being left behind, but he had no choice. It often happened to the youngest. Bethlehem was not far. It was crowded with people. We had no address to help us find the Savior, but we went. Somehow our feet were directed straight to an inn. We saw a small crowd behind the inn, at some stables. There, in that humble place, we saw Him. We knew in a moment it was the Savior. All the angels had said and sang was true. Our knees bent before this Little One, and somehow we knew this world and our lives would never be the same. That is so. There is more I could tell you, but I am tired, so I must rest. Goodbye, my friend from future time. Tell all you see, it is so! I will soon die but I have new hope for He is my Savior and so I will go to be with Him and those angels who came that night. Hope you will too!"
