The Shepherds

It was so crowded in the town and so busy!
I’d never seen it this bad before
and for the first time in my life
I was glad
that I worked outside
on the hillside
where there was peace and quiet
and space to breathe.
Other nights I had longed to be down there
amongst the people,
warm and well-fed
instead of up here
alone and cold,
surrounded by sheep.
But not tonight.

I lay down and relaxed
looking at the distant lights
still burning in the town.
I must have drifted off to sleep
because I woke with a start.
Such noise!
I curled up as tightly as I could
and hid my head in my hands.
Was it thunder?
A pack of wild animals?
An army on the march?
‘The sheep’ I thought, ‘I need
to protect the sheep.’
So I opened my eyes
and I saw …..
The whole sky was ablaze.
Such brightness.
But I had to look.
And I had to listen.
Singing like I’d never heard before.
I don’t know how long I stayed there,
on my knees,
eyes wide,
mouth open,
but I know I heard a voice,
so clear,
telling me to go to Bethlehem
to see a child, a baby,
in a manger.
Then, just as suddenly,
the singing ceased,
the lights disappeared
and it was dark again.
But there was peace,
such peace,
like I’d never known before.
And I had to go.
I had to see.
As I turned and started down the hill
the other shepherds
joined me.
I didn’t ask because I knew
they too had seen and heard.
The whole world must have
seen and heard…..
But no.
In Bethlehem it was dark
and quiet.
People were asleep.
I couldn’t believe it.
How could they sleep?
How could they not have seen?
How could they not have heard?
But they hadn’t.
Too busy,
wrapped up
in their own little worlds may be.
We found the inn and
the stable.
I’m not sure how but we
had no difficulty.
And we went in,
just like that!
As if we’d been invited.
Well I suppose we had been really!
And we were welcomed too
as if it was the most normal thing
to happen.
And then we saw Him,
just as we’d been told.
So small.
So vulnerable.
So……wonderful

I had to tell you.


© Kathleen Wilks