Magnificat

Magnificat - Shepherds

Harel bin Yehudah sighed as the bleeting of sheep continually assaulted his ears. He had been watching his father's sheep since he was a boy of only six years, and now, in his twentieth year, he was growing bored of the monotony of lambing and sheering. The sheep were usually in the field during spring and summer months when the lambs were being born and when it wasn't too cool at night.

Harel allowed his mind to wander to his betrothed, a girl of fifteen, named Hadassah. She fit the name beautifully. Just like Queen Esther, she was a girl of integrity and honor; and wasn't too hard on the eyes. She would be a good wife, and he prayed he would be a worthy husband to her.

Bnayahu Ben-Yishay looked over at Harel and laughed aloud. "You're dreaming again, Harel! I'm sure it's a vision of Hadassah! Not too much longer, and you'll have her in your home! Then you won't need to dream any longer." The slap to Harel's back brought a glare, and then a grin from Harel.

"But, my friend, right now, we need to check the ewes." Ze'ev added. He was older than the others, and enjoyed his profession regardless of the smell and the long hours. His wife was an understanding woman who could make anything mutton-related taste divine on one's tongue. She was quite talented with spinning wool as well. He smiled as he thought of her, sleeping now and due to deliver their ninth babe in a few months. "I guarantee the minute we get lazy, they will start lambing." With a yawn, he picked up his shepherd's hook and began to stand.

A thunderous noise interrupted their dialogue and the ground around them shook as if it would fall from underneath their feet. The three men collapsed to the earth, stunned by the sight in the heavens.

"Fear not!" The voice commanded. "I bring you good tidings of exceedingly great joy! For today, the Mashiach has been born in the city of Dawid! And the sign to you shall be a babe, swaddled, and lying in the manger." 

Before the three men could respond, or even process this, a Host of Angels filled the sky! "Glory to YHWH in the Highest. Peace on Earth to men who serve Elohim!" And just as quickly as they had come, they were gone. The dark once again engulfed the hills and valleys, with the exception of their little fire in the field. 

A moment passed before they reacted at all. Harel was the first to say anything. "We should go! Can you imagine it? The Promise has been born." 

Ze'ev, ever the leader, asked: "Who is going to check on the sheep?" 

"We won't be long, my friend! Let us go and see this miracle! Who are we that the Lord should look upon us and see fit that we greet Mashiach at his birth?" Bnayahu exclaimed as he began running full speed towards the city. The others laughed and followed.

*****

The three shepherds crested the last hill as the sun peeked over the horizon. 

"We're almost there!" They knocked on the clattering wooden stable door.

A moment later, a man's voice answered. "Who's there?"

"We have come to see the babe!"

The door opened slowly, and a haggard-looking man with circles under his eyes peeked out. "And how do you know about that?"

Harel explained in a most excited tone. "An angel of the Lord appeared in the heavens, saying "Fear not!" After five minutes, Yosef opened the door and showed them in to the place where the mother and child were resting. 

"Miryam, are you covered? These men have a most amazing tale. They are here to see Him!" 

"Please, show them in!" She smiled as she kept this happening in her heart. The Lord had seen fit to show her more favor and blessing, telling the simplest of people, not nobles, of the arrival of her son, the Mashiach of Israel!