The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-26
The Shepherds Christmas Vigil.

The Shepherds Christmas Vigil.
BY the gate [of the sheep-fold], hug
ging lis mantle close, the watchman
walked at times he stopped, attracted
by stir among the sleeping herds, or
hy a jackal's cry far off on the noun
tain-side. The midnight was slow
coming to him but at last it came.
His task was done; now for the dream
less sleep with which labor bes>es its
wearied children! He moved towards
the fire, but paused Il light was break
ing around him, soft and white. like
the moons. He waited breathlessly.
The light deepened things before in
visible came to view ; he saw the whole
field, and all it sheltered. A chill
sharper than that of the frosty air-a
chill of fear-smote him. He looked
up the stars were gone; the light
was dropping as from a window in the
sky as he looked, it became splen-
dor then, in terror, he cried,
"Awake, awake !"
Upsprang the dogs, and, bowling,
ran away.
The herds rushed together bewilder-
ed.
The men cIambered to their feet.
weapons in hand.
"What is it?" they asked, in one
voice.
:'See n' cried the watcbman, "the
sky is on fire ~
Suddenly the light became intolera.
bly, bright, and they covered their
eyes, and dropped upon their knees &;
then, as their souls shrank with fear,
they fell upon their faces blind and
fanting, and would have died had not
voice said to them,
"Fear not !"
And they listened.
"Fear not: for behold, bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people,"
The voice, in sweetness and soothing
more than human, and low and clear,
penetrated all their being, and filed
them with assurance. They rose upon
their knees, and, looking worshipfully,
beheld in the centre of great glory
the appearance of q man, clad in robe
Intensely white; above its shoulders
lowered the tops of wings shining and
folded star over its forehead glowed
with steady luslre, brilliant as Hesper-
US; its hands were stretched towards
them in blessing; its face was serene
and divinely beautiful.
They had often heard, and, in their
simple way, talked, of angels and
they doubted not now, but said, in
their hearts, The glory of God is about
us, and this is he who of old came to
the prophet by the river of Ulai.
Directly the angel cont inued:
"For unto you is born this day, in
the city of David, Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord !"
Again there was rest, while the
words sank into their minds.
"And this shall be q sign unto you,"
the annunciator said next. "Ye shall
find the babe, wrapped in swaddling-
clothes, lying in manger.'
The herald spoke not again his
rond tidings were told yet he stayed
awhile. Suddenly the light, of which
he seemed the centre, turned roseate
and began to tremble; then up, far as
the men could see, there was flashing
of white wings, and coming and going
of radiant forms, and voices as Of a
multitude chanting in unison,
"GIory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, goodwill towards
men !"
Not once the praise, but many
times.
Then the herald raised his eyes as
seeking approval of one far off; his
wings stirred, aud spread slowly and
majc>tlrally, on their upper side white
ns snow, in the shadow vari-linted,
like molher-of- pearl when they were
expanded many cubits beyond his stat
ure, he arose lightly, and without ef-
fort, nnated out of view, taking the
light up with him. Long after he was
gone, down from the sky fell the re-
Irain in measure mellowed by distance,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, goodwill towards men,"
When the shepherds came fully to
their senses, they stared at each other
stupidity, until one of them said, "lt
was Gabriel, the Lords messenger I'M
To men,"
None answered.
"Chrst the Lord is born ; said he
not so!:'
Then another recovered his voice,
and replied, "That is what he said"
And did he not also SAY, in the city
Oi DaNidr Wa!rn IS our De, hlene"i
vouder. And that we should find him
u babe in diiing-clolheS ,"
"And lying in a manger."
The first sprakergazed into the fire
thoughtruIly, but 1T length said, like
one possessed of Il sudden resolve,
"There is but one place in Bethlehem
where there are managers ; but one, and
that is in the cave near the old khan.
Brethren, let us go see this thing
which has come to pass. The priests
and doctors have been 4 long lime
looking for the Christ. Now he i
born, and the Lord has given us sign
10y which to know him. Let us go up
and worship him."
"But the ilOcks "
"The Lord will take care of them.
- L. 1,