Milford chronicle., 1960-12-23

The night was strange and uncommoriy
silent My watch did not come until later,
and 1 lay on my back, gazing at the wakeful
stars No one spoke; no beasts howled and
even the insects were stiled.
whispering presence filled the air.
had never known so still and sweet a night
and yet one so swollen with portent. What is
it? What is this tide of feeling, this rising
premonition? Wait. wait
Perhaps 1 slept. But suddenly I was a
wake, in vivid awareness, and all the stars
sang together like tens of thousands of tiny
bells, and it seemed as if 1 were swept up
into them, myself unfurled like carpet a
cross the glistening velvet of the heavens,
very part of that grandeur.
"This is wonderful" 1 said aloud
And the glory of the Lord shone all a.
round, and the heavenly singing rose in jubi-
lance and voice proclaimed, Behold,
bring you good tidings of great joy which
shall be to all people.
"For unto you is born this day in the
city of David, a Saviour. Which is Christ the
Lord And this shall be sign unto you:
you shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes lying in manger"
The singing waxed in beauty and 1 could
hear the words, GLORY to God in the highest
and on earth, peace, good will toward men"
1t seemed part of the music and my bliss
surpassed more than 1 can tell.
Surely, this is heaven" 1 said, and then
suddenly, 1 was back in my own body on the
earth. 1 jerked erect And the singing still
hummed the nights wings and fiery
white star looked down.
| 1 jumped up, happily. Then 1 saw the
other shepherds, huddled together and speak
ing in low, quaking voices. 1 approached and
saw their faces. They were afraid.
1--WE all saw, we all heard" the chief herds
man said in a troubled voice. "It was not
then a dream" He gazed about at the shim-
mering night. Let US now go even unto Beth
lehem and see this thing which is come to
pass, which the Lord hath made known to u.s. :"
Yea, let us go quickly the other shepherd
said Let us go to the city. Let us 60"
"One must stay with the flock" the chief
herdsman said sterny and looked about at
the others. One by one. they protested. Not 1.
Not l. l cringed to be alone on this holy
ground"
who is not afraid to remain?" the chief
herdsman asked
None spoke 1 said to them, 81 shall
stay and tend the flock"
- They looked at me in an unaccustom-
ed way, and said nothing. The chief
herdsman clasped my shoulder, his eyes
darkly puzzled.
He turned, beckoning the others, and
.sident they strobe quickly away. keeping their
ssident gazeS from me. l smiled
asurer
- They will find the Babe, I thought.
Editor But few people will believe what has
come to pass. They will scott that the
NC Lord should come to earth in a mere
manger with the animals of the field
1t is an odd thing, yet it reveals the
vanities of mans cities. He, to Whom
Cents nations are nothing, Who holds the
mountains and the star in the palm OF
- His hand, also is like a shepherd He
"ioie shall gather the lambs with His arm,
- and carry them in His bosom"
1873 Joel was not afraid as he sat watch
DED ing the flock. All was peaceful in the
weekly valley. Perhaps the others would be
rinted Knocked in the city for what they told
g pre-
asis of for people do not expect to find the Lord
-ssoe in stable, or dwelling with the flocks
of the field.
ted in No. Joel was not afraid, as the wolves
e. rested in the dark hills and the flock
lay quietly :. land little child shall
lead them"