The Shepherd Left Behind: A New Fable for Christmas by Thomas Rowe Drinkard

Author:Thomas Rowe Drinkard [Drinkard, Thomas rowe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B017GDYHF2
Publisher: Thomas Rowe Drinkard
Published: 2015-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

Joshua rode a powerful, dappled gray mare along with Adiva. The column they led made its way across barely visible trails through the countryside that only shepherds knew.

Jude walked beside the horse, speaking silently to Joshua whenever the route was unclear.

After two days, the company made its way through a passage in the hills and came to a major road.

“Adiva, tell your masters to take this road to the north. It will intersect with the trade routes some call the Silk Road. Once there, your column will find easy travel to your home.

He slid off the horse and, after squeezing the girl’s hand, made his way back along the column and through the mountain pass, going back to the shepherd’s life without claiming a prize from the magus.

His reward was the knowledge that he had seen the Messiah and heard the angels proclaiming His glorious birth.

He also had made a friend that would stay with him for life.

~~~~~~~~~

“Well Jude, you said you’d be with me as long as I needed you.”

“Yes, I will be here any time you need me. You need to know what happened to the Holy Family after we left. I’ll tell you the story on the way.”

As Joshua and Jude were on the way back toward Bethlehem, the shepherd boy reminded the angel of his promise.

“Jude, we’ve been walking for hours. I’m not tired, but I am curious. Please tell me what happened with the wise men in Bethlehem.”

The angel was silent for a few seconds, as if listening to unspoken words from far away.

“Joshua, the Holy Family is safe now, so I can tell you the whole story. You should know, because of your role. Let’s stop for a few minutes so that you can rest and drink some water.”

They stopped at the edge of a spring and sat in the shade of the trees.

“Joshua, the danger was from Herod. What the interpreter, Adiva, told you was accurate. The King is a jealous and dangerous man. He tried to get the magi to find the baby Jesus for him, so that he could destroy the child.”

“Surely Herod must’ve had someone following them as they made their way into Bethlehem. The caravan was large and made no attempt to travel unnoticed.

Jude’s smile was like that of a teacher whose prized student has done well.

“Yes. Herod had spies following the company of the magi. They reported back to him and told him where the Holy Family was located.”

“Are they in danger?”

“No more. The night that you left with the magi’s column, Gabriel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to wake up and take Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety. He led them on their journey and told them to remain in that country until he came again to let them know that it was safe to go back to Israel.”

Jude paused again. His silence became uncomfortable for the shepherd.

“Jude, is that all the story? Now that the Holy Family is safe we shouldn’t worry.

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