Midnight Mass 2006

I am seated some distance away from the other shepherds. Somehow, this night feels different. I can hear the other shepherds laughing merrily as they share their life stories. As usual, the stories will revolve around their women, their sheep and their adventures as they walk their sheep daily.

The wind silently brushes past me. The desert sand is aroused and some follow the paths of the wind while the rest look on and wish them well on their voyage before settling back down, waiting for their own winds to carry them far away in search of their destiny.

I think about my past and how my love has stood by me since I was a young shepherd boy with only three sheep to my poor name. I think about my love now – is she awake and thinking of me too? I think of my life to come and I hope, and I want to pray, that it will be a good life filled with peace and love.

Up in the sky, a star seems to brighten and glow more passionately. Perhaps it knows my heart. I still wish to pray and so I do. As I utter my prayers of thanksgiving, I look around at my three brothers. They seem to be settling down for the night.

In the distance, I suddenly see some moving camels and they seem to be heading this way. I rub my eyes. Are there other travellers? If so, are they friends or enemies? One never knows in the desert.

I contemplate alerting my brothers.

As the camels continue to make their way over, and I count five, I realise I can see them more clearly. Why is that so? The entire area seems to be on fire, cast in a glow of warm and white light.

My brothers are awake. Some are gazing curiously at me while the others are watching the approaching camels. All are transfixed.

So am I.

Suddenly, I notice the five camels, and the men riding them, aren’t the only things that are approaching.

The star I had seen earlier was moving towards us too.

At this point, I feel absolutely nothing but awe. I look up at the bright shining star and I am even thinking, how silly my love always says I look when my mouth is gaping open like this right now. I want to watch my brothers for their reactions and to be wary of the strangers approaching but I am unable to take my eyes off the light. If I try, I think I can force my gaze away. But I don’t wish to.

This is the most beautiful light I have ever seen.

Out of the light, all at once, as if it has always been there, a… being appears and in a voice as gentle as silk, soft as what I have always imagined the clouds to be, it says,

"Fear not… I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole word.
Today in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
You will know him by the swaddling clothes he wears as he lies in the manger…"

The voice trails off into a whisper that reminds me of love.

The five strangers on the camels climb off and together with my brothers whom I find standing around me, we gaze in wonderment at the angel.

It leads us toward a little shack.

My hand trembles as I push the door open.

A young mother, whose face is wet with tears, is laughing and crying away in joy while an older gentleman, the father, I presume, is beaming with pride. A little baby, yes, wrapped in swaddling clothes looks up at them with the softest look of tenderness I ever saw.

The manger is awashed with the angel’s light. The animals are all awake.

I step forward, removing my coat and offering it to the young mother who accepts it gratefully. She shelters her baby in it. My brothers offer some water which she sips to parch her thirst; some more coats while another brother brings forward some twigs to feed the fire. The five strangers who have arrived at this shack with us, each brings something forward too.

With the little we all have, this holy family is now sheltered and kept warm and safe.

I don’t think any of us know what is happening. But in my heart, as I know in theirs, this is as real as it can ever be. A miracle is unfolding before our eyes. Something of great importance in history is happening.

Suddenly, a flock of angels appear. The heavenly host break into a joyous melody as they sing,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace to all mankind on earth."

I don’t know how this story will be retold or if anybody will remember this night.