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...And the Glory... Watercolor on stretched paper 6" x 9" This year I translated the shepherd’s viewpoint of the Christmas story. I imagined them in the fields, tending sheep, when the stunning brightness of the Lord’s angel turned night into day and made them feel small, insignificant. I think their first impulse was to run and hide at the angel’s appearance. Wouldn’t you? Heaven had been silent for four hundred years. What was this?! Then I think their fear turned to transfixed awe at the appearance of a great angel chorus praising God: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
When the sky darkened, they were alone again, but the shepherds wasted no time. They had no doubt. They believed the angels were God’s messengers and hurried off and found evidence that the announcement was true. They found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
I find a kinship with the shepherds; ordinary people, doing their daily job and God chose them to be the first messengers to their community exclaiming the arrival of Jesus, the Christ. I want to be amazed as I watch for His appearing during my daily chores throughout the coming year and share that amazement with those around me.
©copyright 2007, phyllis thomas
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